On August 5, Sheikh Hasina, the recently ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, arrived in India via a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft, which landed at Hindon Airbase near New Delhi. Accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana, they were welcomed by India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval.
The next day, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, informed the Parliament that Sheikh Hasina had requested temporary permission to enter India, which was granted by the Indian government. Since then, Sheikh Hasina has remained in India, reportedly staying at a safe house near Delhi. However, the exact details of her immigration status in India have not been disclosed by the Indian government.
The key question surrounding her stay is whether Sheikh Hasina is in India on a special visa, or if she has been granted political asylum, but the Indian government has yet to make any official statement on this matter. As a result, there is speculation about the legal validity of her current status and how long it may remain valid.
Based on discussions with senior officials in Delhi, it appears that Sheikh Hasina’s diplomatic or official passport, which she held as Prime Minister, is still valid. This passport allows her to stay in India without a visa for up to 45 days. Unless her passport is revoked, her current stay in India is legally valid. There is no need for any special arrangements by the Indian government in this regard.
For her sister Sheikh Rehana, the situation is simpler as she holds a UK passport, allowing her to stay in India for an extended period under the visa-on-arrival scheme.
The report delves into the specifics of Sheikh Hasina’s immigration status and the Indian government’s stance on the matter. On August 16, during a regular briefing, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, was asked about Sheikh Hasina’s status. He reiterated that the former Prime Minister’s visit to India was approved on short notice and that the situation is evolving. He echoed the earlier statements made by S. Jaishankar in Parliament, confirming that permission was granted for Sheikh Hasina’s immediate entry into India following her resignation on August 5.
However, the fundamental question remains—on what basis is Sheikh Hasina currently in India? Senior officials hinted that her stay might be based on the “Revised Travel Arrangement” agreement signed between India and Bangladesh on July 15, 2018. This agreement allows holders of diplomatic or official passports from both countries to stay visa-free for 45 days. At the time of her departure, Sheikh Hasina’s passport was still valid, and there has been no indication that it has been revoked.
