Sheikh Hasina's son confirms her return to Bangladesh — but when?

Former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has confirmed that his mother will return to her country after a caretaker government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on Thursday.

Joy, who is also a member of Hasina's Awami League, revealed that although his mother is currently in India, she will return to Bangladesh when the interim government announces elections, Reuters reported.

Joy told the Times of India: "For the time being, she (Hasina) is in India. She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election."

However, he did not specify whether Hasina will contest elections.

The 76-year-old former prime minister of Bangladesh fled to neighbouring India earlier this week after weeks of deadly protests forced her to quit.

The caretaker government under Yunus will be tasked with holding elections.

"My mother would have retired from politics after the current term," Joy said.

"I never had any political ambition and was settled in the US. But the developments in the Bangladesh in the past few days show that there is a leadership vacuum. I had to get active for the sake of the party and I am at the forefront now," he told the newspaper.

Hasina's Awami League party does not feature in the interim government, following a student-led uprising against the long-time former prime minister whose exit came after nationwide violence killed over 400 people and injured thousands.

She is sheltering in a safe house in the New Delhi area. Indian media has reported that she plans to seek asylum in Britain, but the British Home Office has declined to comment.

India's foreign minister said on Thursday he spoke to his British counterpart about Bangladesh, but did not share any details.