Sheikh Hasina in shock, govt giving her time before speaking to her: Jaishankar at all-party meeting

Noting that it has been not even 24 hours since Hasina arrived in India, he said she is in a state of shock and the government is giving her time to recover before it speaks to her over various issues, including her future plans.

New Delhi: The Indian government is giving time to deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina “to recover before enquiring about her plans,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is believed to have told the opposition lawmakers in a briefing on the turmoil in India’s eastern neighbour amidst no clear response from the UK on her request for asylum.

Hasina, who landed at the Hindon Airbase near Delhi after flying out of Dhaka with her close relatives, has spent the last 24 hours at a guest house at a safe house “recovering from the shock of sudden turn of events.”

The Bangladesh Military plane that brought her to India has since returned to its base.

Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed, currently posted in Delhi with the World Health Organisation is believed to have met her mother at the Hindon guest house.

The former PM’s plans for further travel to the UK after a stopover in Delhi have been complicated with the British foreign office on Monday seeking a UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks.

London was widely believed to be the next port of travel for Hasina. Hasina’s niece, Tulip Siddiq, is a member of the British Parliament, and her sister, Rehana, who is currently lodged with Hasina in Delhi is a British passport holder.

The UK government has not made it clear whether the former PM has made a formal request seeking asylum.

US, Finland, UAE and Saudi Arabia are some other countries where Hasina can explore options if the request to UK does not materialise.

India shares a 4,000 km border with Bangladesh. Amidst concern over the recent turn of events in India’s most dependable eastern neighbour, EAM Jaishankar briefed a select group of opposition leaders and made a statement in both houses of parliament on Tuesday.

The briefing for the opposition parties was also chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh where Jaishakar and Home Minister Amit Shah were also present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not present when EAM Jaishankar made a statement on Bangladesh.