Bangladesh in turmoil, India flies home its non-essential mission staff, their families
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said on Tuesday that it was India’s expectation that the host government in Bangladesh would provide the required security protection to the Indian missions.
Passengers come out after the Air India flight from Dhaka arrived at the airport in New Delhi. (PTI Photo) With the security situation in Bangladesh deteriorating following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, India is scaling back its diplomatic presence in the country.
While the Indian High Commission in Dhaka remains functional, non-essential staff and families returned to India Wednesday, sources said.
Besides the High Commission in Dhaka, India has Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet.
This is the first sign of concern in the Indian government over the poor security situation in Bangladesh.
Law and order has been disrupted across the country and there have been attacks on Awami League leaders, their homes, security personnel and their offices. Statues of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been vandalised, and mobs have invaded the Prime Minister’s residence and parliament.
Passengers of an Air India flight from Dhaka that landed at the Delhi airport early Wednesday. (PTI)
Sources said the return of non-essential staff and families from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was facilitated on a voluntary basis through a commercial flight. All diplomats remain in the High Commission which continues to be functional, sources said.
All helplines of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka are working, and sources shared the phone numbers: +8801958383679, +8801958383680, +8801937400591.
In Parliament Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said it is India’s expectation that the host government will provide the required security protection to the Indian missions in Bangladesh.
The Indian government has flagged the issue of safety and security of Indian interests – its diplomatic facilities, personnel and its citizens in Bangladesh and put the onus of keeping them safe on the new establishment in Dhaka.
“We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there, of which about 9,000 are students. The bulk of the students have already returned to India in the month of July on the advice of the High Commission. In terms of our diplomatic presence, in addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, we have Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet. It is our expectation that the host government will provide the required security protection for these establishments. We look forward to their normal functioning once the situation stabilises,” Jaishankar said.
He had also raised the issue of Hindus in Bangladesh – an important issue for the BJP-led government in Delhi. Acknowledging that there are groups in Bangladesh who are going to take care of the minorities, he said the BSF will “be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation”.
Hours after New Delhi withdrew some of its personnel, Nobel laureate Prof Mohammad Yunus, the designated head of the interim government of Bangladesh, on Wednesday fervently appealed to everybody to “stay calm” and “refrain from all kinds of violence.
Indian High Commission in Dhaka helpline numbers
Here are three helpline numbers to contact the High Commission of India in Dhaka:
* +8801958383679
* +8801958383680
* +8801937400591
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