Sheikh Hasina faces new challenges as US cancels visa, UK denies asylum

Modi administration has permitted her to stay in India until she secures political asylum in another country

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned following prolonged student protests and has departed for India, but her challenges have only increased.

The Awami League leader’s challenges have deepened as the United States has cancelled her visa and the United Kingdom has refused her request for asylum.

According to Indian media, upon her arrival in India, Sheikh Hasina's next stop was London, where she was likely to seek political asylum or consider Finland as her next destination.

It was anticipated that Sheikh Hasina would stay at a secure location in India until she received a British visa, allowing her to apply for asylum in the UK. However, Indian media now claim that the newly elected British Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, has declined to grant her asylum upon arrival due to the country's policies.

Under this new policy, asylum seekers must temporarily reside in another country where their conduct and reasons for seeking asylum are assessed before being granted political asylum in the UK.

As a result, the UK has currently refused to provide asylum to Sheikh Hasina.

Indian media also reported that in the meantime, the United States has cancelled Sheikh Hasina's visa. However, there has been no official comment from the US on this matter.

Yesterday, a US State Department spokesperson clarified in a press briefing that their government stands with the people of Bangladesh.

The Modi administration, maintaining the friendship with Sheikh Hasina's former government, has permitted her to stay in India until she secures political asylum in another country.