There are about 15,000 Indian nationals and 8,500 Indian students in Bangladesh
All the Indian nationals in Bangladesh are safe, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday (July 19, 2024) amid the ongoing violence in the country during anti-quota protests.
 
“We have issued an advisory for Indian nationals, including our students, resident in Bangladesh for their safety and assistance if required. Helpline numbers operating on a 24X7 basis have been given for people to reach out,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to questions during the weekly media briefing.
 
According to the MEA Spokesperson, there are about 15,000 Indian nationals and 8,500 Indian students, many of whom are pursuing medical courses, in Bangladesh. They were in touch with the Indian High Commission and the Assistant High Commissions, he added.

Responding to questions on India’s stand on the protests in Bangladesh, he maintained, “We see this as an internal matter of the country”.
 
EAM Jaishankar is himself following the matter closely and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka will be providing regular updates, the MEA Spokesperson said. He urged family members of those who are in Bangladesh to follow the Indian authorities for latest developments. “We remain committed to providing all possible assistance to our nationals in Bangladesh,” he stated.
 
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka earlier issued an advisory to members of the Indian community and the Indian students in Bangladesh asking them to “avoid local travel and minimize their movement outside their local premises”. The advisory listed 24-hour Emergency numbers of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna.

According to news reports, violence during the ongoing protests against quotas in government jobs has claimed at least 39 lives. Protesters have burnt down government buildings and damaged public property.