External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in discussions with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy regarding the situation in Bangladesh, following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government amid violent protests, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported on Thursday. This development comes amid speculation that Sheikh Hasina, currently in India, may be seeking political asylum in the UK.

"The External Affairs Minister had a conversation with Foreign Secretary David Lammy just a few hours back. The two leaders spoke about the developments in Bangladesh and West Asia," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated at a media briefing.

As of now, neither the Indian government nor the UK has provided any comments on Hasina’s future plans. According to sources from the UK Home Office, the country's immigration rules do not specifically allow individuals to travel to the UK solely to seek asylum.

Earlier this week, Jaishankar clarified in Parliament that Hasina had sought approval to come to India only "for the moment". It is reported that Hasina intends to travel to London, where her niece, Tulip Siddiq, serves as a member of the British Parliament.

Concerns Over the Situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has been thrown into turmoil following a controversial quota system for government jobs, which led to widespread street protests and violence, resulting in over 550 deaths and numerous injuries. In the aftermath of the Hasina government's fall, there have been reports of extensive looting and rioting across the country.

One of India's significant concerns has been the attacks on Hindu houses and temples in Bangladesh. Addressing this issue, the MEA spokesperson mentioned that various initiatives have been undertaken by groups and organizations within Bangladesh to protect minorities.

"We are monitoring the situation concerning the status of the minorities. 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," Jaiswal stated.

The MEA also reported that approximately 10,000 Indians currently remain in Bangladesh, with several having contacted the High Commission to return to India.

"The High Commission in Dhaka and other assistant high commissions are assisting them to return to India. Several of them have reached out," Jaiswal said.

In addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, India maintains consulates in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet. The MEA official emphasized that they are in constant communication with authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Indian missions and diplomats.