India considers Sheikh Hasina, who left the country on August 5 in the face of student and public protests, to be a former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made this comment in response to a question at a weekly briefing in New Delhi on Thursday.

On Tuesday (November 5), the Awami League issued a statement congratulating Republican candidate Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election. The statement referred to Sheikh Hasina as the ‘‘Prime Minister’’ of Bangladesh.

In this context, a journalist asked the Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson whether India considered Sheikh Hasina a former Prime Minister or a ‘‘Prime Minister in exile.’’ In response to such a question, Randhir Jaiswal, outlining the Indian government’s position, said, “We have already said here that she (Sheikh Hasina) is a former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. So this is our position on this matter.”

Sheikh Hasina left the post of Prime Minister on August 5 in the face of violent student and public protests and went to India in a military aircraft. She has been in a safe house in Delhi since then. However, the Indian government has not officially disclosed the exact area where Sheikh Hasina is staying.

Delhi has also not said anything about the status of the former Bangladeshi prime minister. However, a report by the Indian media outlet The Print on October 24 said that Sheikh Hasina is currently living in a safe house in the Lutyens' Bungalow zone of New Delhi. The Indian government has made this arrangement for her for more than two months.

The Print says that Sheikh Hasina has been given a house in Lutyens' Bungalow according to her status, like the houses allotted to ministers, senior MPs and top officials of the Indian government. The Print said that to protect Sheikh Hasina's privacy and security, it has decided not to disclose the exact address or street details of the house.

At a news briefing, Jaiswal said that extremists were involved in the recent attack on Hindus in Chittagong, Bangladesh. He said that India once again condemns the attack on Hindus in Chittagong. Such attacks will only create communal tension.

Jaiswal said, “We have noticed that the Hindu community in Chittagong, Bangladesh has been attacked. Their property has been looted, their businesses have been looted. These incidents have taken place after provocative posts were posted on social media targeting Hindu religious organisations.”

He said India has called on the Bangladesh government to take action against those involved in this incident and ensure the safety of Hindus.

“It is understood that extremist groups are behind such posts and such illegal criminal activities. This will further increase communal tensions. We once again call on the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of Hindus and take strong action against extremist groups,” the foreign ministry spokesperson said.