Bulk Of Students Returned In July, Govt in Touch With Indian Community: Jaishankar

EAM Jaishankar on Tuesday made a suo motu statement in the Raya Sabha regarding the violence in Bangladesh, following the unrest since Sheikh Hasina resigned as the Prime Minister.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that India is in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through diplomatic missions, as he apprised the Rajya Sabha on the situation in the neighbouring country. 

Addressing the Upper House, Jaishankar, in his suo motu statement, stated that there are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh, out of which around 9,000 are students. 

"The bulk of the students have already returned to India in the month of July on the advice of the High Commission," he said, informing about the status of students in the violence-hit 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," he added.

The External Affairs minister further stated that India expects that "the host government will provide the required security protection for these establishments."

"We look forward to their normal functioning once the situation stabilises," Jaishanakr said.

Regarding the status of minorities in Bangladesh, Jaishankar said that there were reports of initiatives being taken by several organisations and groups to ensure the well-being and protection of the minorities amid the violent uprising.

"We welcome that, but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored. Our border guarding forces have also been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation. In last 24 hours, we have been in touch with the authorities in Dhaka," he added.

Earlier today, Jaishankar also chaired an all-party delegation at the Parliament complex regarding the Bangladesh crisis, where he informed that the Centre was monitoring the situation closely and will keep the parties updated of any development that takes place.

He had also mentioned that the former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had to flee from her country, following her resignation amid raging protests, was in India, and that the government gave her time to communicate her future plans to Delhi.