New Delhi: As the political landscape of South Asia has taken a dramatic turn after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina escaped from the country, Delhi is preparing to host Hasina in the country for “as long as it takes” her to make any final decision. Hasina is stranded in India and her plans to seek refuge in the UK were thwarted by a “technical roadblock”.
India, meanwhile, is actively exploring asylum options for Hasina in other European countries, but these efforts have hit roadblocks, leaving her temporarily grounded in India. The situation has prompted a heightened security alert, with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval closely monitoring the situation and keeping Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed.
Hasina, who arrived in India on a C-130J military transport aircraft on August 5th, is now facing a complex situation after the UK and US denied any support to accommodate her. While India has extended the courtesies befitting a Head of State, including protocol drills at Delhi’s airports, Hasina’s final move to move out of India remains uncertain.
According to the sources aware of the situation, security agencies are gearing up to arrange a “long-term” stay in India. It also said that the agencies are searching for bigger and safer accommodation for her.
The crux of the problem lies in the UK’s strict immigration rules, which do not allow for asylum seekers to enter the country without a visa. Hasina, stripped of her diplomatic passport, faces a Catch-22: she needs a visa to enter the UK, but cannot apply for asylum without first entering.
Initially, it was speculated that Hasina is eyeing on UK to take asylum as her sister Sheikh Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq is a UK citizen. Tulip is a member of the British Parliament and holds the position of economic secretary to the Treasury and Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate.