Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, where he has held discussions with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Their meeting encompassed a wide range of bilateral and geopolitical issues, including the ongoing situations in Bangladesh and Ukraine.
According to The Hindu, Jaishankar and Lammy engaged in extensive dialogue concerning the state of global affairs.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Indian foreign minister noted that the discussions covered regional and global matters, including the war in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, and the Commonwealth.
However, he did not disclose specific details regarding Bangladesh.
Jaishankar stated, "We exchanged views on Ukraine, the Middle East, Bangladesh, the Commonwealth, and various regional and global concerns. In an uncertain and turbulent world, India and the UK contribute to stability and prosperity."
The meeting comes against the backdrop of Bangladesh's political turmoil, which saw Sheikh Hasina ousted from office in early August last year following mass protests led by students and the public.
In the wake of her removal, she fled to India, where she has remained in exile.
Reports had earlier suggested that Hasina sought asylum in the UK, but British authorities declined her request, stating that their legal framework did not permit granting asylum under such circumstances.
Since Hasina’s departure, allegations of corruption have surfaced against several individuals linked to her administration, prompting investigations by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Among those under scrutiny is British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, Hasina’s niece.
Tulip Siddiq resigned from her position as Britain's Economic Secretary to the Treasury in January following reports linking her to corruption investigations in Bangladesh.
As a member of the ruling Labour government, she was responsible for overseeing financial regulations and tackling economic misconduct within the UK.
Beyond allegations of receiving gifts from Hasina’s associates, Tulip Siddiq was also accused of accepting World Cup tickets from a former Bangladeshi MP in 2019.
Additional financial irregularities have surfaced, further fuelling controversy.
In light of these developments, the UK's opposition Conservative Party has demanded her removal from office, amplifying political tensions surrounding the matter.
