India’s all-party meet on Bangladesh turmoil

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday chaired an all-party meeting to discuss the fall of Sheikh Hasina government and the army's takeover in neighbouring Bangladesh amid violent protests.

Jaishankar briefed the leaders of all parties about the situation in the violence-hit nation and the steps taken by the Indian government to address the potential security, economic, and diplomatic repercussions of this situation.

Sources said the foreign minister discussed the Centre's strategy to limit the fall out with the new dispensation in Bangladesh for backing the ousted leader.

"It's a prevailing situation. The government will take appropriate action at the right time," Jaishankar reportedly told the MPs.

He also said the government is monitoring the evolving situation and that it is in touch with the Bangladeshi Army - which is set to form an interim government after Hasina's ouster - to ensure the safety of the Indian nationals and the minorities in the neighbouring state.

Besides Jaishankar, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also attended the meeting.

Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and fled the country as vast crowds of angry protesters demanded her exit.

Shortly after Hasina resigned, Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said the military will form an "interim government" and urged to protesters to stand down.

Hasina, after her ouster, landed at the Hindon Air Force base in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, which is 30km from Delhi Monday evening. She was received by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Jaishankar about the violence in neighbouring Bangladesh - in which over 300 have died so far. There is no word yet if Modi will meet Hasina.

Hasina is expected to leave for London later, sources told NDTV, where she may seek political asylum. However, there is no confirmation on whether the UK has offered asylum to her.

Indian Border Security Force is on high alert across the country's 4,096km border with Bangladesh, with field commanders ordered to take "on ground" positions and be prepared for anything.

Hasina had sought to quell nationwide protests against her government but she fled the country after fresh clashes on Sunday in which nearly 100 people were killed.

The anti-government rallies that began last month against civil service job quotas escalated into some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Hasina's 15-year rule and shifted into wider calls for the 76-year-old to step down.

Source: NDTV