Indian Students Return from Bangladesh Amid Protests
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that over 6,700 Indian students have safely returned to India from Bangladesh. This significant evacuation was facilitated with substantial cooperation from the Bangladeshi government, according to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "So far we have had over 6,700 Indian students come back from Bangladesh. We received excellent cooperation from Bangladesh govt. Our High Commission has arranged for their safe and secure travel to the border crossing point and the… pic.twitter.com/5GFDTcXtoq
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024
In a media briefing on Thursday, Jaiswal highlighted the efforts of the Indian High Commission, which worked tirelessly to ensure the safe travel of these students to border crossing points or the airport. He assured that the High Commission, along with Assistant High Commissions, had been operating 24/7 helplines to assist Indian nationals and students in Bangladesh.
The situation in Bangladesh is being closely monitored, and the Indian government remains hopeful for a return to normalcy soon.
The unrest in Bangladesh has been primarily driven by demands to reform the civil service quota system. The protests intensified in response to a new policy allocating government jobs to descendants of freedom fighters, which led to violence, including attacks on state television headquarters and police booths in Dhaka. The unrest resulted in over 100 fatalities, prompting the Bangladeshi government to impose a curfew, close schools, and suspend mobile and internet services nationwide.
In response to the crisis, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court intervened, reducing the quota for war veterans’ descendants from 30% to 5%. The majority of civil service jobs will now be allocated based on merit, with a small percentage reserved for ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled.
MEA Responds to US Diplomat’s Remarks on PM Modi’s Visit to Russia
The MEA has also addressed comments made by top American diplomat Donald Lu regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia. Lu expressed disappointment over the visit, stating that Washington was holding “tough conversations” with New Delhi about these concerns.
In response, Jaiswal emphasized India’s longstanding relationship with Russia, noting that every country has the freedom to make its own choices in a multipolar world.
#WATCH | On US diplomat Donald Lu's remark on India, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We must understand that India has a longstanding relationship with Russia that is based on mutuality of interests. In a multipolar world, all country has freedom of choice. It is… pic.twitter.com/6jnijiQWYo
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024
Jaiswal asserted that India values its strategic autonomy and has its own perspectives on global issues. He underscored that the comprehensive global strategic partnership between India and the US allows for disagreements while respecting each other’s viewpoints.
The MEA’s remarks come amid broader discussions about strategic autonomy and international relations, highlighting India’s stance on maintaining independent foreign policies despite external pressures.
During his visit to Moscow, PM Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they discussed various bilateral issues. The leaders outlined goals to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers and aimed to achieve a mutual trade volume of over USD 100 billion by 2030. They also agreed to explore the possibility of establishing an EAEU-India Free Trade Area and developing a bilateral settlement system using national currencies.
Kerala’s Appointment of Secretary for External Cooperation Draws Criticism
In a separate development, the Kerala government’s recent appointment of a Secretary for External Cooperation has sparked controversy. The MEA has stated that foreign affairs fall solely under the jurisdiction of the Union Government, as outlined in the Constitution. The MEA’s spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, criticized the Kerala government’s move, asserting that foreign affairs are not a concurrent or state subject.
#WATCH | On Kerala Govt appointing Secretary for External Cooperation, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "…The Constitution of India under the 7th Schedule list 1- Union list, item 10, clearly specifies that foreign affairs and all matters which bring the Union into… pic.twitter.com/JUJUrCNkm0
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024
The Kerala government appointed senior IAS officer K Vasuki as Secretary in charge of external cooperation matters. The move was intended to strengthen the state’s development efforts through new international relations.
However, it has faced strong criticism from the Central Government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which argues that this appointment constitutes an overreach into areas beyond the state’s constitutional authority.
BJP State President K Surendran accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of attempting to establish Kerala as a separate entity by overstepping constitutional boundaries. In contrast, Kerala Chief Secretary Dr. V Venu defended the appointment, stating that it was meant to enhance the state’s development through international cooperation rather than engage in diplomatic relations, which remains the central government’s responsibility.
The Indian government is actively managing a range of issues involving foreign relations and domestic policies. The successful evacuation of Indian students from Bangladesh demonstrates the efficacy of international cooperation during crises.
At the same time, India’s strategic autonomy and longstanding ties with Russia continue to shape its global interactions. The debate over Kerala’s appointment of a Secretary for External Cooperation highlights ongoing discussions about the division of powers between state and central governments.
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