Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigns and flees country as protesters storm palace

According to reports, the “safe place” Sheikh Hasina is headed
to is its giant neighbour – India.

Over the years, India has been her biggest ally and this has
worked well for both countries.

Bangladesh shares borders with a number of north-eastern Indian
states – many of which have grappled with militancy over decades, and a
friendly regime in Dhaka helps with that.

During her time in power, Hasina clamped down on anti-India
militant groups in Bangladesh, winning friends in Delhi. She has also given
transit rights to India to make sure goods from its mainland make it to those
states.

Hasina, who forged close ties with India ever since she was
first elected in 1996, has always justified Dhaka’s close relationship with
Delhi.

During a visit to India in 2022, she reminded people of
Bangladesh how India, its government, people and armed forces had helped the
country during the independence war in 1971.

But her closeness to Delhi – and India’s backing of her – has
been criticised by the opposition parties and activists who say India should be
backing the people of Bangladesh and not a particular party.