#UK, #SheikhHasina, #BangladeshViolence, #Jaishankar
IBNS-CMEDIA: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has discussed recent events in Bangladesh with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government due to violent protests, according to the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.
This discussion comes amid the rumours that Hasina, who is currently in India, may be seeking political asylum in the UK.
“The External Affairs Minister had a conversation with the Foreign Secretary David Lammy just a few hours back. The two leaders spoke about the developments in Bangladesh and West Asia,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing.
So far, neither the Indian nor the UK government has commented on Sheikh Hasina’s future intentions.
UK Home Office sources informed news agency PTI that the country’s immigration laws do not explicitly permit individuals to enter the UK for the purpose of seeking asylum.
Earlier this week, in Parliament, Jaishankar clarified that Hasina had requested approval to visit India only “for the moment.”
Hasina is reportedly planning to travel to London, where her sister Sheikh Rehana’s daughter, Tulip Siddiq, is a member of the British Parliament.
Chaos unfolded in Bangladesh after a contentious quota system for government jobs sparked intense street protests and violence. Over 550 people were killed and hundreds injured in the agitation that turned violent.
Following the collapse of Hasina’s government, there have been reports of widespread looting and rioting across the country.
Attacks on Hindus, their houses, businesses establishments and temples, have been a concern for India.
Speaking on the issue, the MEA spokesperson said a string of steps have been taken by groups and organisations in Bangladesh to make sure the minorities in the country are safe.
“We are also monitoring the situation regarding the status of the minorities. We also want to make it clear that it is the responsibility of every government to ensure the well-being of all its citizens. We hope for an early restoration of law and order in Bangladesh. This is both in the interest of the country and for the larger region as a whole,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA has said as many as 10,000 Indians are currently present in Bangladesh and many of them have approached the Indian High Commission to return to India.
“The High Commission in Dhaka and other assistant high commissions are assisting them to return to India. Several of them have reached out,” Jaiswal said.
Apart from Dhaka, India also has consulates in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet.
A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official stated that they are in touch with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of their missions and diplomats.
