The NDA-led Central Government on Tuesday convened an all-party meeting to discuss the situation in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed the ongoing developments in the neighbouring country after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka on Monday.
During the meeting, EAM Jaishankar allayed apprehensions about border security, saying that “no worrying number of people are trying to enter India. All checkpoints between the two nations are under watch and there is no increase in the number of people crossing the border from Bangladesh.”
On Monday, after Hasina left the country, the situation at the border turned tense prompting the government to mobilise security forces in the areas.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has issued a “high alert” across all its formations along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border in the wake of the developments in the neighbouring country, officials said.
BSF Director General (Acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary and other senior commanders toured the front in West Bengal to review the security situation. The DG landed in Kolkata around 10.30 AM on a flight from Delhi.
In the meeting, which was attended by various politicians, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, voiced support for the central government and said they will be on the “same page” about any decision the government takes on the situation.
On Sheikh Hasina’s whereabouts
Hasina landed at Ghaziabad’s Hindon Airbase on Monday with her sister Sheikh Rehana. She is reportedly still in Delhi, however, her exact whereabouts are unknown.
During the all-party meeting, the foreign minister discussed Hasina’s arrival in India but did not give any details about her future travel plans.
Jaishankar said, “Right now we are only ensuring Sheikh Hasina settles down, let her recover and be comfortable to discuss her plans,” according to News18.
‘Priority is to safeguard minorities’
Meanwhile, India has decided to prioritise the safety of Hindu minorities in the country with reports of atrocities against them already surfacing.
Jaishankar said, “8,000 students have come back after government advisory. Govt in touch with Indian nationals. High Commission is functioning. It is a fluid situation, too premature to comment more.”
He added that the government is currently in “wait and watch” mode and is in touch with the Bangladesh Army to ensure the safety of Hindus living in the country.
‘Too premature to say anything on foreign hand’
When Congress MP Rahul Gandhi asked if the crisis in Bangladesh was set off by any foreign governments, Jaishankar said that one Pakistani diplomat changed his profile photo in support of the country, adding that it’s “too early” to say anything on this.
Gandhi also asked if the unrest in Bangladesh has given rise to anti-India feelings in the country, to which Jaishankar said, “We are cognisant of this. Bangladesh needs India for many resources.”
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Is there a Pakistan hand in Bangladesh crisis? Jaishankar says a Pakistani diplomat did…
