Union Home Minister Amit Shah met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to review the security situation in the country in the wake of the massive protests in Bangladesh.
The anti-government protests in the neighbouring country have led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled to India on Monday and is likely to seek asylum in the UK.
New Delhi, in its first reaction to the turmoil in Bangladesh, said on Tuesday that it’s “deeply concerned” over the situation.
Jaishankar, who made a statement in both houses of parliament, said Hasina requested for approval at very short notice to come to India "for the moment".
“Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apparently made the decision to resign. At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi,” the foreign minister said.
According to reports, India has conveyed to Hasina that she can stay here until her travel plans for taking refuge in another country is finalised.
Jaishankar said India is in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through its diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh, of which about 9,000 are students.
The minister said India is also monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities in the neighbouring country. “There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organizations to ensure their protection and well-being. We welcome that, but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored,” he said.
Earlier, at an all-party meeting Jaishankar said Hasina was in shock at the turn of events in her country and the Indian government was giving her time to recover.
The minister said India has spoken to the Bangladesh Army chief to ensure the safety of more than 10,000 Indian students in that country and also taken up the issue of attacks on Hindu minorities.
