Hasina in shock, govt gives her time before talking to her: Jaishankar at all-party briefing

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said, meeting of all parties India has extended assistance to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here on Monday evening, and given her time to decide on the next course of action, sources said.

Briefing political party leaders in Parliament, Jaishankar said India was in touch with the Bangladesh Army to ensure the safety of over 10,000 Indian students in the country, sources said.

Responding to questions from various leaders, including Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, the minister did not rule out the role of foreign governments in the unrest in the country but emphasised that the situation was too fluid and the government was closely monitoring its developments, they said.

At the meeting, Gandhi asked whether foreign governments could be involved in fuelling the crisis in the country.

Jaishankar said that in the neighbouring country, protesters attacked households and properties belonging to minorities.

Noting that it had not even been 24 hours since Hasina’s arrival in India, he said she was in shock and the government was giving her time to recover before talking to her on various issues, including her future plans, sources said.

Various leaders, including Gandhi, assured the government of their full cooperation in the matter.

YSR Congress leader V Vijaysai Reddy said his party supports the government in the interest of the country.