Diplomatic Correspondent

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told an all-party meeting that India has assured help to former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here on Monday evening, and given her time to decide the future course of action, sources said.

Jaishankar told an all-party meeting in Parliament House that it has been not even 24 hours since Hasina arrived in India and she is in a state of shock. Therefore, the Indian government is giving her time to recover before it speaks to her over various issues, including her future plans, the sources said.

He said India has spoken to the Bangladesh Army Chief to ensure the safety of over 10,000 Indian students in that country, the sources said.

Replying to questions from various leaders, the minister said households and properties belonging to minorities were targeted by protestors in the neighbouring country.

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

India’s top opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who was also present at the all-party meeting, asked the Indian government about the potential involvement of foreign actors in the developments in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from power and the country.

Rahul’s query came at the all-party meeting convened by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in parliament house in New Delhi.

The government replied that all possible angles are being investigated.

At the meeting, Rahul also wanted to know from the government about its long-term and short-term strategies concerning. The government is understood to have responded by saying the situation in that country is evolving and will be continuously assessed.

During the meeting, leaders were informed that there are about 20,000 Indians in Bangladesh. An estimated 8,000 Indian nationals have returned.to the country. Jaishankar said the Indian government was in touch with Indian citizens in Bangladesh and that the Indian High Commission in Dhaka continued to operate.

The leaders at the all-party meet were also told that the safety of minorities in Bangladesh was a priority and measures were being taken to protect them.