Update on Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s Stay in India: Duration Still Unclear

An update came on Friday regarding the stay of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'As we said earlier, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh came to India in a very short time due to security reasons.'

On how long former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will stay in India, he said, 'We have nothing more to say in this matter.' At the same time, regarding the issuance of visas to Bangladeshi citizens, Randhir Jaiswal said, 'We are issuing visas in a limited manner for medical and emergency purposes. Once the situation becomes normal, law and order is restored, we will start our full operation of visas.'

Hasina came to India on August 5 after resigning from the post of Prime Minister, after which Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin dissolved the Parliament. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the interim government of Bangladesh withdrew the special security given to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her close relatives. The interim government had also cancelled their diplomatic passports a few days ago.

A report in Bangladesh's official news agency said that the Advisory Council led by Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus has decided to amend the Special Security Force Act 2021 to remove the special security given to former Prime Minister Hasina and her close relatives.

At the same time, Amir Khusro Mahmud Chowdhury, leader of the Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has targeted former diplomats, bureaucrats, leaders and institutions and alleged that they are misleading India into believing that India-Bangladesh relations will deteriorate without the Sheikh Hasina-led government.