External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament on Tuesday that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina contacted India seeking safe passage after her unexpected resignation due to the political turmoil in Bangladesh.
In a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar mentioned that Hasina’s request to travel to India was approved on very short notice.
“At very short notice, she requested approval”
“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,” said Jaishankar in the Parliament.
Speaking in Rajya Sabha on the situation in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar 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.”
#WATCH | Speaking in Rajya Sabha on the situation in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, “…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… pic.twitter.com/SJSv1hkQ1f
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2024
“We will remain deeply concerned”
Jaishankar said, “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.”
Jaishankar further said, “Our border guarding forces have been instructed to be exceptionally alert in video of this complex situation. In last 24 hours, we have been in touch with authorities in Dhaka.”
His statement came just hours after he briefed an All-Party meeting in Parliament about the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. During the meeting, in response to a question from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Jaishankar remarked that it was premature to speculate about any foreign conspiracy.
However, Jaishankar noted, “It is too early to confirm or dismiss anything, but a Pakistani diplomat did change his social media profile picture to show support for the agitation in Bangladesh.”
Jaishankar explained that Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India is a gesture of courtesy, and the central government is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.
Regarding her arrival, he stated that the priority is to ensure Hasina settles in, recovers, and feels comfortable enough to discuss her future plans. “We want to give her space and time since she arrived on short notice,” he said, adding that no decision has been made yet about her next destination.
Reports indicate that over 100 people have been killed in the violence across Bangladesh, which erupted after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and left the country on Monday.
By Tuesday morning, the situation in Dhaka had largely calmed, with public transport resuming and shops reopening following a day of unrest and a night of tension.
ALSO READ: Who Is Khaleda Zia? 1st Female PM Of Bangladesh, To Set Free From Prison After 17 Years
