UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy dialed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday and discussed the unfolding situation in Bangladesh. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he and Lammy also deliberated on the developments in West Asia.
The debate between British Foreign Secretary and Jaishankar on the Bangladesh situation takes place against the backdrop of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first plan to seek shelter in London. Hasina is currently in New Delhi, having resigned and fled to India.
Also read: Bangladesh violence: Indian visa centres closed indefinitely
Plan stalled due to UK’s reluctance to provide her refugee
However, the proposal has stalled due to the UK’s reluctance to provide her with shelter.
Following the two diplomats’ phone discussion, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the subject of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh during a press briefing and echoed EAM’s comments in parliament.
“We welcome these steps, but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored’… 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…”.
Also read: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requests Indian citizens in Bangladesh to….
Hasina resigned as prime minister on Monday, following weeks of enormous protests that began as an agitation over a job quota system but evolved into a popular movement seeking her removal from power.
Shortly after resigning, Hasina, 76, landed at the Hindon airbase outside Delhi with plans to travel to London. The plan did not come to fruition since the UK suggested that she would not be granted legal protection against any potential investigation into the violent riots in her nation.
Lammy said in a statement in London on Monday that Bangladesh has suffered unprecedented levels of violence and sad loss of life in the previous two weeks, and that the country’s people “deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events”.
Also read: Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan, father lynched amid turmoil
Not possible to apply for asylum from outside the UK under UK immigration rules
Under UK immigration rules, it is not feasible to apply for asylum from outside the country, and each asylum application is carefully evaluated on an individual basis.
The UK has a track record of offering protection to those in need, but there is no provision in its immigration rules for someone to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge, according to an expert.
Those in need of international protection should seek asylum in the first safe country they reach; this is the quickest way to safety, according to the expert.
