UK's David Lammy dials Jaishankar, discusses situation in Bangladesh

S Jaishankar (L) and David Lammy (R)

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy dialed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday and discussed the unfolding situation in Bangladesh. In a post on, Jaishankar said he and Lammy also deliberated on the developments in West Asia.

The discussion between British foreign secretary and Jaishankar on Bangladesh situation comes against the backdrop of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina's initial plan to seek asylum in London. Hasina is currently in New Delhi after she resigned and fled to India.

Received a call from UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy today.

Discussed the situation in Bangladesh and West Asia. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 8, 2024

However, the plan has hit a roadblock following the UK's hesitation to provide her refuge.

Following the telephonic conversation between the two diplomats, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a briefing addressed the issue of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and reiterated EAM's statement in the 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...".

Hasina resigned as the prime minister on Monday following weeks of massive protests that initially began as an agitation against a job quota scheme but weeks later morphed into a mass movement demanding her ouster from power.

Shortly after resigning from the post, 76-year-old Hasina landed at the Hindon airbase near Delhi with a plan to leave for London.

The plan did not materialise as the UK indicated that she may not get legal protection against any possible probe into the violent protests in her country.

In a statement, Lammy said in London on Monday that Bangladesh has seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life in the last two weeks and people of the country "deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events".

Under the UK's immigration rules, it is not possible to apply for asylum from outside the UK and each asylum claim is carefully considered on its individual merits on a case-by-case basis.

The UK has a record of providing protection for people who need it but at the same time there is no provision within its immigration rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge, said an expert.

Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach; that is the fastest route to safety, the expert added.

It is learnt that Hasina is considering several options including the United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Finland for taking refuge.