India Closely Analysing Foreign Role in Toppling of Hasina: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that India was "closely analysing" reports pointing to the involvement of foreign actors in recent developments in Bangladesh, which culminated in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her eventual flight to New Delhi this week.

"We are closely analysing all aspects of recent developments in Bangladesh," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a weekly briefing in New Delhi.

He reassured that Indian government is engaged with authorities in Dhaka, however, stressing that it had become "difficult" for the Indian diplomatic missions to carry out its operations in Bangladesh due to the unrest witnessed in recent days, adding that normal functioning of other foreign missions had also been affected.

The MEA spokesperson informed that the Indian missions were still facilitating the travel of Indian citizens who wanted to return to India. Out of 19,000 Indian citizens in Bangladesh, 9,000 are students. Most of these students have already returned to India by last week.

"Because of violence and arson in Dhaka, it was difficult to conduct normal activities of the High Commission. Once, normal functioning and law and order is restored, we hope that normal functioning would begin soon, because this bilateral relationship is so important," Jaiswal said.

In the meantime, Jaiswal revealed that the Indian High Commission in Dhaka had been invited by Bangladeshi authorities to attend the swearing-in of Mohammad Yunus as the country's interim leader.

"I would like to emphasise that for us, the Government and the people of India, the interest of Bangladeshi people are foremost on our minds," the official stated.

Bangladesh Responsible for Safety and Security of Minorities: MEA

Further Jaiswal addressed the issue of safety and security of Hindus in Bangladesh, amid a spurt in attacks against their homes, businesses and temples following Hasina's ouster. He said that India was "closely monitoring" the overall situation in Bangladesh.

"We would also like to make it clear that it is the responsibility of the [Bangladeshi] government to ensure well-being of all its citizens. We hope for an early restoration of law and order in Bangladesh. This is both in the interest of the country itself and for the larger region as a whole," Jaiswal highlighted.

In addition, the Indian official referred to reports that "various initiatives have been taken by groups and organisations to ensure well-being of the minorities", but added that New Delhi would remain concerned till law and order was completely restored.

In the meantime, Jaiswal reacted to a question about reports of US and China trying to acquire a port in Bangladesh to increase presence in the Bay of Bengal, where Indian Navy has traditionally played the role of a net security provider.

"As I told you, we are engaged with authorities in Dhaka. We have before us an evolving situation. As a close friend of the people of Bangladesh, we want restoration of peace and stability in the country as soon as possible. Normal life should begin, so that all the things you have talked about could be looked after and we can take forward the interests of the Bangladeshi people as well as our interests," the MEA spokesperson stated.

Meanwhile, on the issue of possible foreign hand to orchestrate Hasina's ouster, her son Sajeeb Wazed told Indian media on Thursday that certain western groups were possibly involved in orchestrating the former Prime Minister's ouster.

Wazed said that the former government had no evidence on Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) role in Hasina's ouster, but added that "maybe they are", according to Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.

"I don't think China is involved at all, as China has never interfered in our internal affairs. Our policy is that we are not favoring China but are friends with everybody. India is our best friend. Pakistan and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have always been against an independent Bangladesh...," Wazed told Indian news agency IANS.

As claimed by Hasina herself in recent months, there has been an ongoing plot to "carve out a Christian country taking parts of Bangladesh [Chattogram] and Myanmar with a base in the Bay of Bengal".

Members of Hasina's Awami League have previously told Sputnik India that the US had been eyeing a base in Bangladesh.

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