India is closely monitoring recent protests in Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector and the country’soverall internal situation, while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining positive, constructive and forward-looking bilateral relations with Dhaka.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks at a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday (November 3).
“We are following the situation in Bangladesh. There are various developments and events taking place there, and we continue to monitor them. As far as India-Bangladesh relations are concerned, we want to work towards building a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship,” Jaiswal said.
Responding to a question about transboundary rivers and the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, he said discussions on shared rivers would continue through existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC).
He also said an earlier invitation extended to Bangladesh’s then leadership to visit India remained in place, adding that any further developments would be communicated in due course.
Garment workers’ protests continue, BGB deployed
Meanwhile, protests by garment workers demanding an increase in the minimum monthly wage from Tk 12,500 to Tk 30,000 entered their fourth consecutive day on Tuesday.
Some garment factories in Mirpur and other parts of Dhaka resumed partial operations in the morning, prompting workers to return to their workplaces. However, tensions resurfaced when some workers left the factories and took to the streets, triggering fresh clashes and unrest.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse protesters and bring the situation under control.
To strengthen security in industrial areas, 12 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Gazipur, Narayanganj and surrounding areas.
The BGB is also using drones and body-worn cameras to monitor the situation and keep sensitive roads under surveillance.
Government alleges political instigation
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that political conspiracies are behind the unrest in the garment sector.
He claimed that some industrialists and factory owners linked to the ousted Awami League government, whose activities are currently banned, were instigating the disorder.
“Many of them have served as members of parliament, ministers or state ministers at different times. We have information that these industrialists are behind the unrest, and this has been established,” he said.
The government has instructed law enforcement agencies to take firm action to end highway blockades and clashes and restore stability in the industrial areas.
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