External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India is in touch with authorities in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka and is concerned about the law and order situation in the neighbouring country. He added the border forces have been advised to remain “exceptionally alert” in view of the recent developments.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said that all across the political spectrum shared concern about recent violence and instability in Bangladesh. “Since the elections in January 2024, there has been considerable tension, deep divides and growing polarisation in Bangladesh politics,” he said. Jaishankar added this underlying situation aggravated the student agitation in Bangladesh.
Detailing the incidents which led to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, Jaishankar said, “Demonstrators converged in Dhaka despite the curfew on August 5. Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment, PM 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 minister said.
Jaishankar added the government is in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh and through diplomatic missions. “There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there, of which about 9,000 are students. The bulk of the students, however, have already returned to India in the month of July," he said.
He added India is also monitoring the situation in regard to minorities in Bangladesh. ”There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organisations to ensure their protection and well-being. Naturally, we will remain deeply concerned till law and order is restored. Our border guarding forces have been instructed to be exceptionally alert in video of this complex situation,” Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha.
In the morning, the Centre convened an all-party meeting during which Jaishankar briefed opposition leaders about the situation in the neighbouring country. Reportedly, India has reached out to the Army leadership in Bangladesh and has extended any support for the restoration of normalcy in the country.