'Appreciate unanimous support': Jaishankar briefs all-party meet on Bangladesh issue

At the meeting held in Parliament House, sources said Jaishankar briefed the leaders about the situation in Bangladesh as well as the arrival of Hasina in the country. Jaishankar appreciated the 'unanimous support and understanding' from parties.

New Delhi: The Government on Tuesday briefed senior leaders of major parties on the emerging situation in Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from power amid questions raised by the Opposition whether any “foreign hand” was involved in the insurrection.

At the meeting held in Parliament House, sources said Jaishankar spoke about the latest developments in Bangladesh, including the arrival of Hasina in India. Jaishankar appreciated the “unanimous support and understanding” the government received from the parties.

Sources said Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asked whether there was “any foreign hand” in the developments in the neighbouring country. Jaishankar is learnt to have told the meeting that the government at this point was not ruling in or ruling out anything as it would be “premature” to do so.

However the minister, sources said, referred to a Pakistan diplomat changing his social media profile with that of the protest. He told the leaders that the government is already in touch with the Bangladesh army.

While asking the government about its medium-term and long-term plans to deal with the situation, Rahul also raised concern over the attack on minorities in Bangladesh. Jaishankar told the leaders that the government is adopting a wait and watch approach on the developments.

The Minister said the situation is alarming in Bangladesh but the government’s priority is to ensure safety and security of Indians, including embassy officials.

As Rahul pointed out to the anti-India feelings among some quarters, sources said the Minister indicated that the government is aware of the situation.

“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, Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha floor leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay told reporters that they “will walk hand in hand” with the government on this issue. He said they demanded that whatever step is taken, the Chief Minister of Bengal should be kept in the loop and his request was well accepted.

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Sources said that RJD’s Misa Bharti asked about Indians stuck in Bangladesh.

The meeting was attended by Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, J P Nadda, Amit Shah, Kiren Rijiju, HD Kumaraswamy, Rajiv Ranjan ‘Lalan’ Singh, Ram Mohan Naidu, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP K C Venugopal, SP’s Ramgopal Yadav, Bandhyopadhyay, BJD’s Sasmit Patra and YSR Congress’ V Vijaisai Reddy.

DMK’s TR Baalu, Misa Bharti, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Arvind Sawant and Supriya Sule of NCP(SP) also attended the meeting.

Congress MPs Manish Tiwari submitted an adjournment notice in Lok Sabha to immediately discuss the issue while Rajiv Shukla submitted a notice to suspend business in Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue.

Congress Lok Sabha Chief Whip Kodikkunnil Suresh said, “the situation in Bangladesh is serious and unexpected. We should discuss this matter seriously in the Parliament.”

RSP MP NK Premachandran said the government has to clear its position on the Bangladesh issue.

“It was one of the closest allies of India. We are not aware of the full situation. It is with grave concern we are looking at this. Let the government come out with a statement on this issue,” he said.