Bangladesh Issue Is Internal Affair, Says S Jaishankar

New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that the issue of Bangladesh is an internal affair of the country and that India should not interfere in it. He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with NDTV Profit.

"Bangladesh is a sovereign country and it is up to the people of Bangladesh to decide their own future," Jaishankar said. "India has always respected Bangladesh's sovereignty and we will continue to do so."

Jaishankar's remarks come amid heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh over the issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The NRC is a register of Indian citizens that was updated in Assam in 2019. The update left out nearly 2 million people, many of whom are Bengali-speaking Muslims. There are concerns that the NRC could be used to target Bengali-speaking Muslims in other parts of India, including West Bengal.

Jaishankar's remarks are an attempt to reassure Bangladesh that India is not trying to interfere in its internal affairs. However, it is unclear whether his remarks will be enough to allay Bangladesh's concerns.

The issue of the NRC is a sensitive one in Bangladesh.

Many Bangladeshis believe that the NRC is a discriminatory measure that is targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims. They are also concerned that the NRC could lead to the deportation of Bangladeshi immigrants from India.

The Bangladesh government has expressed its concerns about the NRC to the Indian government. However, the Indian government has maintained that the NRC is an internal matter and that it will not interfere in Bangladesh's internal affairs.

The issue of the NRC is likely to continue to be a source of tension between India and Bangladesh.

It is important for both countries to work together to find a solution that is acceptable to both sides.