On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had requested urgent approval to come to India due to the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh.
"After a meeting with security leaders, PM Sheikh Hasina decided to resign and, on very short notice, sought approval to come to India. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi," Jaishankar stated while briefing the Upper House following an all-party meeting to discuss the crisis in Bangladesh.
Jaishankar revealed that before Hasina's arrival at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, Indian authorities had received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh.
The minister assured the Rajya Sabha that the government remains in close contact with the Indian community in Bangladesh through its diplomatic missions. "There are about 19,000 Indian nationals there, including around 9,000 students. Most of the students returned in July. We are also closely monitoring the status of minorities," he said.
In recent weeks, Hasina faced intense backlash, including violent protests and widespread riots, due to a controversial quota system. These protests resulted in over 300 deaths, with demonstrators in Dhaka holding banners demanding Hasina's resignation. Following the escalating violence, Hasina resigned and fled to Delhi.
The protests turned violent on July 16, when student activists clashed with security forces and pro-government supporters, leading authorities to use tear gas, rubber bullets, and impose a curfew with a shoot-on-sight order. Internet and mobile data services were also disrupted to control the situation.