Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, is currently staying in India after being ousted from power. Over a hundred cases have been filed against her, most of them involving murder charges. Preparations are also underway to take cases of genocide to international courts. Due to the cancellation of her diplomatic (red) passport, her chances of traveling to another country from India have significantly decreased. According to Indian law, Sheikh Hasina can stay in the country without a visa for 45 days. Of those, 27 days have already passed.

In this situation, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has only two options. She can either seek political asylum in India or return to her home country. At the age of 77, she currently has no other choices.

What will India do now? Will they grant political asylum to Sheikh Hasina, similar to what they did after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975? Hasina took refuge in India’s capital, New Delhi, for six years.

It is reported that India is currently facing a dilemma. Should they provide her with political asylum and risk straining their relations with Bangladesh, which are already fraught with tension? Anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh are currently much higher than before. Questions are also arising globally regarding India’s recent activities.

Will India offer protection to Sheikh Hasina? With her passport revoked, Sheikh Hasina is now a stateless person. Even if she wishes to go to another country, it would be very difficult. Both China and India took risks on Hasina, and both have lost. Meanwhile, another country has emerged victorious. China has become cautious. India still harbors hopes centered around Hasina. But history tells a different story.

India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, has not provided any clear indication about Hasina's future in Delhi. In this situation, if Hasina seeks political asylum in India, the administration is in a dilemma about what their policy would be. Political analysts are divided. There will be increasing pressure on India to send Hasina back to her country. Bangladesh’s Foreign Advisor, Tawhid Hossain, has already hinted at this.

India’s concerns are mainly regarding the Seven Sister States. Stability has come during Hasina’s tenure. Whatever gains were achieved by moving against the revolution could be lost. They fear that showing gratitude towards Hasina could invite China’s entry. There is also doubt about this. Moreover, the United States has silently strengthened its position. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who is now in power in Dhaka, has direct connections with most heads of state and government worldwide. If he wishes, he can speak with the leaders of at least a hundred countries at any time. Because of this, India is treading carefully.

Diplomatic experts have advised Narendra Modi’s government to take practical decisions rather than emotional ones. In this changed situation, what options remain other than Hasina returning to her country? She is about to be accused of genocide. No democratic country in the world would want to accept her. As time goes on, the attitude of Indians towards Bangladesh is also changing. India has no good relations with any South Asian country. The little it had was with Bangladesh, and they do not want to lose it by adopting misguided policies. The quota reform movement has dimmed Hasina’s future and also raised questions about India’s stance in Bangladesh.

India’s leadership seems quite worried after observing the reaction of Bangladeshis to the recent floods. With China to the north and Pakistan to the west, India is calculating whether to open another security front to the east. Diplomatic experts say that if this happens, it would be extremely risky. This is because both China and the United States are closely monitoring recent events.
Source: Manab Zamin