External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday addressed the Rajya Sabha on the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh and termed it 'still evolving.' The EAM informed the house that India is in constant touch with the Neighbouring country and is vigilant on the developments. He also informed the House that former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina had requested to come to India.
“Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of security establishments, PM Sheikh Hasina apparently made the decision to resign. At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi," he said.
"...We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there of which about 9000 are students. The bulk of the students returned in July...We are also monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities."
"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 view of this complex situation. In last 24 hours, we have been in touch with authorities in Dhaka," he added.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar during an all-party meeting in Parliament briefed the leaders about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Jaishankar briefed the leaders on how the issue had panned out in Bangladesh and the prevailing situation in the country. He also spoke about how Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina had moved to India and how India would take care of the Bangladeshi leader. Jaishankar said that Sheikh Hasina is in India and the Indian government wants to give her time to let the Indian government know what her future course of action would be.
During the meeting, Jaishankar told the leaders that the central government was in touch with the Bangladesh Army as well. According to sources, the leaders in the party meeting were informed that there are 20000 Indian nationals in the country. According to sources, so far 8000 Indian nationals have come back. Jaishankar informed the meeting that the Indian government is in touch with Indian nationals and the High Commission there continues to operate.
