New Delhi

On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Bangladesh has formally protested against remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the unrest in Bangladesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, We have received a diplomatic note from Bangladesh objecting to the Chief Minister’s comments.

Jaiswal highlighted that, according to India’s Constitution, the central government exclusively handles foreign affairs. On July 21, during a rally in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee suggested that West Bengal would offer shelter to those fleeing the unrest in Bangladesh and referred to a UN resolution supporting refugee accommodation.

The Bangladeshi government, led by Sheikh Hasina, criticized Banerjee’s remarks as provocative and inaccurate, especially while local authorities are working to stabilize the situation.

The MEA described the unrest in Bangladesh as an internal matter and expressed gratitude for the Bangladeshi government’s cooperation, which has facilitated the safe return of over 6,700 Indian students. Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s hope for a swift resolution to the situation, highlighting the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.