Sheikh Hasina in India: MEA Confirms Former Bangladesh PM Seeks Refuge Amid Political Crisis

Significantly, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) verified that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is presently in India, where she is seeking asylum from growing political upheaval back home. Hasina had visited India for "safety reasons" and is still in the nation, according to MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal, during a media conference on October 16.

Hasina left Bangladesh in the aftermath of mounting political and civil turmoil after being removed from power in August 2024 following mass student demonstrations upsetting her country. Jaiswal claims that she arrived in Tripura, India, on August 5, 2024, and has been living in India ever then. This declaration coincides with claims from Bangladesh that a Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against her, further aggravating the already precarious political environment.

Given the general student-led demonstrations against the interim government, Sheikh Hasina's unexpected leaving from Bangladesh has attracted questions abroad. By forcing the once-popular leader from office, these demonstrations had plunged the nation into political turmoil. The interim government, which came to power after Hasina's ouster, has battled to keep stability in response to the circumstances in Bangladesh, and political tensions are rising.

A major topic of global attention, the MEA spokesman also addressed questions regarding the continuous violence against minority populations in Bangladesh. Jaiswal underlined India's worries about the security of these areas and urged the interim government of Bangladesh to implement required actions to safeguard its minority. " India has been regularly advocating for the safety and security of the minority communities in Bangladesh, and we expect the interim government to address this issue with urgency," Jaiswal underlined.

Jaiswal's comment highlights the growing diplomatic pressure Bangladesh is under as it deals with political turmoil mixed with violence directed against its minority populations. Targeted attacks against religious minorities have been documented over the past several weeks, leading appeals from many international organisations, including the United Nations, to protect the rights of these populations.

Given the continuous upheaval, the MEA also gave updates on the state of India's visa policies in Bangladesh. Jaiswal affirmed that limited capacity visa services were running under the circumstances. He did, however, reassure me that once Bangladesh's situation stabilise, the whole resuming of operations would go place.

Bangladesh's position is still erratic, and rising worries about possible escalation call for attention. Although the temporary administration of Dhaka has promised to bring back order, the international world keeps a careful eye on the developments particularly with relation to the protection of minority groups inside Bangladesh and the safety of immigrants like Hasina.

The existing historically important connection between India and Bangladesh will probably become a major topic of debate on the international scene as the circumstances change. The way India manages its position in this crisis—especially in light of its diplomatic relations with Bangladesh—will be much watched in the next weeks.

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