As the political and social crisis in Bangladesh intensifies, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, engaged in a crucial meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday.
The discussion held on the sidelines of parliamentary proceedings, focused on the escalating situation in Bangladesh and its potential repercussions for regional stability, Congress sources told IANS.
While specific details of their conversation were not disclosed, it is understood that the discussion aimed to address the broader impacts of the turmoil in Bangladesh.
"The meeting highlighted a collaborative effort to stay informed and respond effectively to the rapidly changing situation in the neighbouring country," a source said.
The meeting comes in the wake of dramatic developments in Bangladesh, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country. Hasina arrived at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, following violent protests in Dhaka that have resulted in widespread destruction and significant loss of life.
The violent clashes between protesters and police in Dhaka have left over 100 people dead and more than 1,000 injured in recent days, pushing the total death toll in the anti-government protests to over 300 in just three weeks.
The unrest, initially sparked by student protests against civil service job quotas, has evolved into a broader anti-government uprising demanding Hasina’s resignation. Meanwhile, Hasina arrived in India in a military transport plane of Bangladesh Air Force as thousands of protesters stormed and vandalised 'Ganabhaban' - the official residence of the Prime Minister in Dhaka.
Several reports said that she will be leaving for London soon.
The house of Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also reportedly set on fire in Dhanmondi, an upscale area of the Bangladesh capital. As Hasina left for India, Bangladesh Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman confirmed the news of her resignation and said that an interim government will be formed soon to run the country. The Army chief also said he will meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin soon to chart the future course of action.
EAM Jaishankar calls on Singapore President, discusses bilateral cooperation in semiconductors, industrial parks and skilling
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on visiting Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in New Delhi on Wednesday, holding discussions with the foreign dignitary on bilateral cooperation in several areas ahead of his scheduled meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
GRAP IV restrictions reimposed in Delhi-NCR as pollution levels surge
The CAQM had, on January 12, revoked Stage-3 restrictions after the AQI in Delhi improved due to rainfall. Stage-IV restrictions include a ban on all construction activities, the entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, and the mandatory shift of school classes, except for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.
Govt contemplating to curb dependency on import of fish from outside: Minister Sudhangshu Das in Assembly
The state fishery minister Sudhangshu Das on Wednesday informed the assembly that the government is contemplating to increase local fish production and curb the dependency on imports from outside and neighbouring Bangladesh.
Major hike of salaries for Ministers, MLAs as bill passed in Tripura assembly
The bill proposes that the chief minister will now receive a monthly salary of Rs 97,000 with Rs 13,000 as sumptuary allowance while ministers and the Leader of the Opposition will get Rs 95,000 with an allowance of Rs 12,000 per month. The MLAs too will now draw Rs 93,000 as salary with Rs 12,000 as allowance.
'Govt working with dedication, spirit of service': PM Modi says during ISKCON Temple inauguration in Navi Mumbai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India is a living land with a vibrant culture and the main foundation of "our spiritual culture is the spirit of service", which is the consciousness of this culture.
India's goods and services exports clock 6pc growth to scale $602bn mark in April-Dec
India's total exports of merchandise and services have clocked a 6.03 per cent growth to $602.64 billion during April-December of the current financial year from $568.36 billion in the same period of the previous financial year, the Commerce and Industry Ministry announced on Wednesday.
SC issues notice on Congress plea challenging amendments to Conduct of Election Rules
The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a plea filed by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh challenging the amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which restricts public access to election materials, such as CCTV footage unless explicitly listed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Drugs worth Rs 9 crore seized in Assam, two peddlers from Manipur arrested
The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police on Tuesday seized over 1.128 kg of heroin worth Rs nine crore and arrested two drug peddlers from Manipur, officials said.