NEW DELHI/LONDON: After reports that deposed

Bangladesh

PM

Sheikh Hasina

was headed West, or London in all likelihood, it emerged Tuesday that she might have to stay put in India for days, if not longer. With India tight-lipped about how long it can allow her to stay here and the UK effectively ruling out asylum for her, Hasina was said to be exploring other options, including the US and

Finland

.

While London is Hasina’s first choice for asylum, she hasn’t officially approached authorities yet, as confirmed by her son Sajeeb Wazed. Wazed was quoted as saying the US and the UK, where she has extended family, would be possible choices.
Foreign minister

S

Jaishankar

made it clear in Parliament that Hasina had sought approval to come to India only “for the moment”. India remains apprehensive about her opponents in Dhaka, with whom it needs to work now, using her extended stay to sow doubts about India’s intentions.
Despite the setback caused by Hasina’s exit, India has said it wants its missions in Bangladesh to function normally once law and order is restored.

‘She’s in shock, we will wait till she settles’
Foreign minister S Jaishankar told an all-party meeting Tuesday that ousted Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina was in shock at the turn of events and the govt would discuss with her about her future course once she is settled down. Hasina, who landed in Hindon in a BAF aircraft with her sister on Monday, has been moved to a safehouse.
India seeks normalcy for its missions after law restored

Despite the setback caused by Sheikh Hasina’s exit, India has said it wants its missions in Bangladesh to function normally once law and order is restored.
The UK Home Office would not officially comment on the asylum claim as such claims are confidential but Home Office sources told TOI, “It is not possible to apply for asylum from outside UK. The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it. However, there is no provision within our immigration rules for someone to be allowed to travel to UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach, that is the fastest route to safety.”
Strongly hinting Hasina should apply for asylum in India, the source added, “Each asylum claim is carefully considered on its individual merits on a case-by-case basis.”
Hasina, 76, arrived at Hindon air base in Ghaziabad on Monday with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana (68) in a C-130 military plane and shifted to Delhi.
Rehana already has political asylum in the UK and holds British citizenship. She took refuge in the UK after the assassination of her father, Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975. The sisters had planned to move swiftly to London but will now have to rethink their next destination.
Hasina’s niece Tulip Siddiq, who is Rehana’s daughter, is a Labour MP and is economic secretary to the Treasury in the new Labour govt.
On Monday, UK foreign secretary David Lammy said, “The people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks.” He also said the UK wants to see action taken to ensure a peaceful and democratic future for Bangladesh.
Bangladeshis made up the fifth largest nationality of main applications seeking asylum in the United Kingdom in 2023 numbering 4,300.
The UK can also grant other forms of humanitarian protection to people who the Home Office decides need protection but who do not meet the criteria for refugee status. Hasina could apply for discretionary leave outside the immigration rules. Or she could go to the UK on a visa but it would be illegal to later apply for asylum unless she could prove a change in circumstances.