External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India is a courtesy move while the central government is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and gauging its long-term impact.
About her arrival in India, Jaishankar told the all-party meeting that for now it is being ensured that Hasina settles down, recovers and feels comfortable enough to discuss her plans. “We want to give her space and time, she has come at short notice,” he said at the meeting, adding that there is no decision yet on where she will go next.
The entire opposition, in one voice, said it is on the same page with the government on this. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asked a number of questions about the situation, which forced Hasina to resign and flee her country on Monday (August 5).
According to INDIA bloc sources, Gandhi asked about the Centre’s plan for Hasina and how Indian concerns can be protected. The sources said the government cannot and would not want to divulge the details on the floor of the house, to which the opposition said it will cooperate.
Top government officials, however, said Hasina will be staying in India for the next few days, pending a security review among other matters. After she was forced to leave Dhaka, India negotiated her safe passage following which she landed at the Hindon airbase near Delhi, where there are facilities for high-level dignitaries for a long stay.
Highly placed sources said Hasina is not clear about her next move, as the UK has not been forthcoming. They earlier told CNN-News18 that she has full freedom to work out her next move and may also try to go to the Scandinavian countries.
The sources said Hasina is open to moving to other European countries as well, and is exploring those options as she may not get asylum in the UK.
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