The Indian government said on Tuesday it was monitoring the situation of ethnic minorities in Bangladesh and was in “close and continuous” contact with the Indian community in the country through its diplomatic missions.
Reading out statements in both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said India will naturally remain deeply concerned until law and order is visibly restored in the neighbouring country and said he has directed border security forces to be on high alert in view of the complex and still evolving situation on the ground.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar briefed lawmakers on the “urgent” request made to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to come to India “for the time being”.
Hasina arrived in India on a Bangladesh Air Force plane on Monday evening, possibly en route to London or another European destination, after being forced to resign as prime minister amid instability in the country following violent street protests over job quotas.
“On August 5, protesters rallied in Dhaka despite a night curfew. Our understanding is that after meetings with security leaders, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has decided to resign. She has suddenly sought permission to come to India for the time being,” Jaishankar said.
“We simultaneously received a request for flight permission from the Bangladesh authorities. She arrived in Delhi yesterday evening. The situation in Bangladesh is still evolving,” he said.
Jaishankar pointed out that Bangladesh Army Chief Gen Waqar-uz-Zaman had addressed the nation on August 5 and spoke about assuming responsibility and forming a caretaker government.
“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 in Bangladesh of which around 9,000 are students. However, most of the students have already returned to India in July,” the foreign minister said.
Text: PTI.
Video: ANI/Sansad TV
