Foreign Hand In Bangladesh? To Rahul's Query, Jaishankar Says 'Pakistani Diplomat Changed His Profile Pic But...'

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said it was too early to say anything about the role of foreign conspiracy in the Bangladesh crisis.

Responding to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s queries while addressing an all-party meeting convened by the Centre on the Bangladesh unrest on Tuesday morning, Jaishahkar added, “It is too early to rule in or rule out anything, but a Pakistani diplomat did change his social media profile picture to support the agitation in Bangladesh.”

Briefing the MPs at the Parliament complex ahead of a statement on the ongoing crisis in the neighbouring country, he said the Centre was monitoring all kinds of possibilities.

Jaishankar briefed the leaders on how the issue had panned out in Bangladesh and the prevailing situation in the country. He also spoke about how former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had moved to India and how India would take care of the Bangladeshi leader.

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Jaishankar said that Sheikh Hasina was in India and the Indian government wanted to give her time to let the Indian government know what her future course of action would be.

Taking to social media platform X, S 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.”

ON EVACUATION OF INDIANS

During the meeting, Jaishankar told the leaders that the central government was in touch with the Bangladesh Army as well. He said that it is a prevailing situation and the government will take appropriate action at the right time, according to sources.

The Opposition was on the same page as the meeting neared an end and it decided to back the government.

According to sources, the leaders in the party meeting were informed that there are 20,000 Indian nationals in the country. According to sources, so far 8,000 Indian nationals have come back. 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.

When Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked about India’s long-term and short-term strategy, the government stated that this was a progressive situation and they would continue to analyse it.

BANGLADESH CRISIS

Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina resigning from her post in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, majorly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests.

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

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

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