Minister S. Jaishankar to Address Rajya Sabha on Bangladesh Crisis

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to address the Rajya Sabha today regarding the escalating crisis in Bangladesh, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and the subsequent military takeover.

Earlier today, Jaishankar led an all-party meeting at Parliament House to discuss the evolving situation in Bangladesh. Key figures in attendance included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, DMK leader T.R. Baalu, and NCP leader Supriya Sule, among others.

During the meeting, Jaishankar provided an update on the current developments in Bangladesh, addressing their potential impact on India’s security, economy, and diplomatic relations. “I briefed the All-Party meeting in Parliament today on the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. I am grateful for the consensus and support from all parties,” Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter) after the meeting.

Sheikh Hasina, who had served as Prime Minister for two non-consecutive terms totaling 20 years, resigned and fled from Ganabhaban, the official residence, as protesters overran the premises. The violence has resulted in over 300 deaths, making it one of the deadliest periods of civil unrest in Bangladesh’s recent history, surpassing the previous high of 67 deaths reported during July protests against government job quotas.

Sheikh Hasina arrived at the Hindon airbase near Delhi yesterday aboard a C-130H military transport aircraft from Bangladesh. After landing, she met with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who briefed her on India’s stance regarding the situation. She was then relocated to a secure location for safety.