Sheikh Hasina in shock, next move unclear; Rahul asks Jaishankar if foreign hands involved in fuelling the crisis

Aditi Tandon

New Delhi, August 6

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told an all-party meeting that India would help former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here on Monday evening, and would wait for her to decide the future course of action.

Jaishankar said India was in touch with the Bangladesh Army and would ensure the safety of over 10,000 students there.

Hasina is currently in a safe house in India. She has to decide if she wants to stay in India or proceed to some other country.

After her father and Bangladesh liberation war hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated, Hasina stayed in India for many years.

Replying to questions from various leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the minister did not rule out the role of foreign governments in the unrest in the country but emphasised that the situation was too fluid, and the government has been keeping a watch on the evolving situation, sources said.

At the meeting, Gandhi asked if foreign governments might be involved in fuelling the crisis there.

Jaishankar said that households and properties belonging to minorities were targeted by protestors in the neighbouring country.

Noting that it has been not even 24 hours since Hasina arrived in India, he said she is in a state of shock and the government is giving her time to recover before it speaks to her over various issues, including her future plans, the sources said.

The External Affairs Minister is scheduled to make a statement on the issue in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

Various leaders, including Gandhi, conveyed their full cooperation to the government on the issue.

YSR Congress leader V Vijaysai Reddy said his party supports the government in the interest of the country.

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

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said the government had briefed an all-party meeting on the situation in Bangladesh.

“Congress party is fully with the government as far as national security and national interest are concerned,” Chidambaram told PTI. However, he was not present at the meeting.

Bangladesh plunged into uncertainty after extraordinary street protests over job quota forced Hasina to quit and flee.

The all-party meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, DMK leader T R Baalu, NCP leader Supriya Sule among others. — with PTI