External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday briefed an all-party meeting about the situation in Bangladesh, wherein he said the Centre was in close touch with the Bangladesh Army.
In a post on X, he also shared photographs of the meeting at Parliament House. "Briefed an All-Party meeting in Parliament today about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended," Jaishankar posted on the social media platform.
Briefing the MPs, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, about the steps taken by the Indian government to address the potential security, economic, and diplomatic issues of this situation, the EAM said the government will take appropriate action at the right time.
He also informed the MPs that there were over 20,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh and over 8,000 of them have returned home. He added that the situation, however, wasn't so bad as to demand evacuation. The Indian High Commission is in touch with the Indian nationals.
The meeting also stressed the minorities in Bangladesh and how they needed to be protected.
On Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in Delhi, Jaishankar said they want to give her time to decide her future course of action and inform the Centre about it. Jaishankar said the country will protect Hasina.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi asked Jaishankar about India's long-term and short-term strategy on the Bangladesh situation. He also questioned the government on the possible involvement of foreign hands in the current political situation of Bangladesh. To this, the Centre informed that it was looking at all possible angles.
Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said the government had briefed an all-party meeting on the situation in Bangladesh. Congress party is fully with the government as far as national security and national interest are concerned," Chidamabaram told PTI. However, he was not present at the meeting.
The all-party meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, DMK leader T R Baalu, NCP leader Supriya Sule among others.
