Jaishankar tells all-party meet India focused on protection of minorities in Bangladesh, will help Sheikh Hasina

August 6, 2024:India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while briefing an all-party meeting on the Bangladesh situation, told members that Sheikh Hasina had moved to India and that India has assured all possible help to the Bangladeshi leader.

Jaishankar informed the meeting that the Indian government is in touch with Indian nationals and the High Commission there continues to operate. The leaders were informed that the focus is on minorities and that they should be protected, sources from the all-party meeting told ANI.

Taking to X, Jaishankar stated, “Briefed an All-Party meeting in Parliament today about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended.”

During the meeting, Jaishankar informed the leaders that the central government was in touch with the Bangladesh Army as well.

According to sources, the leaders at the party meeting were informed that there are 20,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh, and that so far, 8,000 Indian nationals have returned.

During the all-party meeting, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi inquired about India’s long-term and short-term strategy and possible foreign involvement, the government stated that this was a progressive situation and they would continue to analyze it. Gandhi expressed his support for the measures taken in the national interest.

In Dhaka, the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have proposed an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, in a bid to address Bangladesh’s ongoing challenges.

Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Monday, August 5, evening after tendering her resignation. It is not clear if Sheikh Hasina will continue to stay in Delhi or move to another location later