Bangladesh Crisis: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India's diplomatic missions are in close touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh. While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the EAM said that India is also in touch with political parties in the country.


Making a suo motu statement in the Raya Sabha over the violence in Bangladesh, the Union minister said that former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is in India, and he also ruled out the shutting down of the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh. 


"In terms of our diplomatic presence, in addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, we have Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet. It is our expectation that the host government will provide the required security protection for these establishments. We look forward to their normal functioning once the situation stabilizes," Jaishankar said.


Briefing about the situation in Bangladesh, Jaishankar said that there are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there, of which about 9000 are students, the bulk of whom returned in July. 


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...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 video of this complex situation. In last 24 hours, we have been in touch with authorities in Dhaka."






During his speech, the EAM asserted that the situation in Bangladesh is still evovling and PM Sheikh Hasina took the decision to resign after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment. He further stated that she had requested to come for the moment to India at very short notice, and we simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities. She arrived yesterday in Delhi.


All-Party Meeting Over Bangladesh Situation


Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held an all-party meeting where he briefed everyone about the ongoing situation in Bangladesh and appreciated the unanimous support from all parties.


Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi who was also present in the meeting sought to know the government's long-term plan to deal with the crisis in Bangladesh and ensure the safety of Indians residing in the country. 


The Congress leader also asked the External Affairs Minister if the Government of India was aware of the role of any foreign player behind the crisis in Bangladesh. 


Bangladesh slipped into chaos on Monday after its Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following month-long protests by students against the reservation system. The protests which were initially peaceful turned violent after the protesting students clashed with police and the members of the ruling Awami League. 


Hasina, along with her sister flew out of the country to India, while the protestors stormed the prime minister's official residence, Ganabhabhan and looted items from the place.


After her arrival in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on the issue.