External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar chairs all-party meeting on Bangladesh
New Delhi:
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi asked Foreign Minister S Jaishankar three important questions during an all-party meeting on the situation in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina was ousted as prime minister amid violent protests.
Sources said Gandhi asked about the government's short-term and long-term strategy to deal with the diplomatic fallout of the change of power in Dhaka. The minister replied that the situation was evolving and the Centre was carefully analysing it to fine-tune its next move.
The Congress leader is also questioning whether foreign powers, specifically Pakistan, could be involved in the dramatic events that have taken place in Dhaka in recent weeks, culminating in Hasina’s ouster, according to sources. The Centre responded that it is investigating the angle. A source also confirmed that the government has said that a Pakistani diplomat has been constantly changing her social media profile to reflect the situation in Bangladesh amid violent protests. The Centre, which is also investigating, is aiming for something bigger.
He also asked whether New Delhi had anticipated the dramatic turn of events in Bangladesh. To this, the foreign minister replied that India was monitoring the situation.
The Congress and other opposition parties will pledge full support to the Narendra Modi government in its handling of the Visinhansa crisis.
After the meeting, Foreign Minister Jaishankar posted a post on X, thanking the opposition for its unanimous support. “I have reported on the all-party meeting in Parliament on the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Thank you for your unanimous support and understanding for its extension,” he wrote.
He reported on an all-party meeting of Parliament on the developments in Bangladesh.
With unanimous thanks, support and understanding it has been extended. pic.twitter.com/tiitk5M5zn
-Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 6, 2024
In the meeting, which was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Centre briefed the representatives of all parties about the background of the crisis in Bangladesh and how it reached this stage. They were also informed about the situation there and how Ms Hasina fled to India when protesters stormed her house.
Ms Hasina remains in India and is likely to travel to the UK to seek political asylum. The Centre has also shared with all parties how it plans to respond to Ms Hasina, who is known to be a very close friend of New Delhi. Fontes said New Delhi wants time to decide next year.
The government also spoke during a meeting in contact with the Bangladesh Army, which has announced the formation of an interim government. The government informed the opposition parties that it will keep abreast of the developments in the situation and will take appropriate action at the right time.
There are about 20,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh and about 8,000 will return. The government is in touch with them and the High Commissioner is on duty. The centre is also accompanied, according to sources, by accounts of attacks on non-Bangladeshi minorities.
Speaking to NDTV after the meeting, Congress representative Karti Chidambaram said India’s main concern was the security of Indian cities in Bangladesh and the border situation. Asked if the opposition was satisfied with the way the government was handling the situation, he said: “The fact that the foreign minister has informed all party leaders is a very quick move. We as a government are not saying respect for national security.”
