New Delhi: The Indian government is closely examining all aspects of the dramatic events in Bangladesh, including the possibility of the involvement of foreign powers. “We are closely analysing all aspects of recent developments in Bangladesh. This is in reference to a question… on the involvement of foreign powers and governments,” said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal Thursday at a press briefing.
He also said that the Indian High Commissioner will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new interim government to be led by Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus, which will take place later tonight.
Yunus’s closeness with the US and frequent meetings with American diplomats to “bemoan” the state of Bangladeshi politics, leaked by Wikileaks cables, has led to speculation on whether Washington played a role in the political crisis prevailing in Bangladesh.
Also, the Hasina government saw strained relations with the US for many years, with Hasina remarking ahead of January’s elections that “a white man” offered her a smooth return to power in exchange for an airbase.
On Thursday, the MEA called for “early restoration” of law and order in Bangladesh.
Almost 200 Indian diplomatic staff returned to India this week in the wake of the political crisis in Bangladesh. “We have only our non-essential Indian staff members and family members who have come back. This is also the situation with other embassies. We hope that normalcy returns so that our high commission and assistant high commission can begin their normal work as soon as possible,” Jaiswal said.
“As far as we are concerned, the Indian government is concerned for the interest of the people of Bangladesh. It is foremost in our minds,” said Jaiswal.
Earlier, before Hasina’s ouster, New Delhi had repeatedly maintained that raging student protests in the neighbouring country were an “internal matter” of Dhaka. Last month, when at least 25 people were killed and hundreds injured in the violence, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began personally monitoring the situation.
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Jaishankar speaks to UK Foreign Secretary
Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina remains in India after having fled her country following her ouster. Though she is seeking asylum in a foreign country.
She was initially looking to move to the UK, where her niece is a Labour MP and other family members reside, but London does not appear to be acceding to her asylum request.
On Thursday, Jaishankar discussed the situation in Bangladesh with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Received a call from UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy today.
Discussed the situation in Bangladesh and West Asia.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 8, 2024
However, the MEA spokesperson did not confirm whether talks touched on Hasina getting political asylum there.
Earlier this week, Lammy issued a statement calling for a United Nations (UN)-led investigation into the violence and protests in Bangladesh that forced Hasina to flee the country. Nearly 300 people were killed in the weeks-long deadly clashes to protest a controversial quota reservation.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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