Won't put anyone abroad in unbearable suffering: State minister for foreign affairs

The government has urged Bangladeshi citizens stuck in India to have patience, assuring them of their gradual repatriation after bringing back patients from South India.

"We won't put any of our citizens abroad in unbearable sufferings," State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam said in a video message on Saturday night.

He urged all, including Bangladeshi students in India, not to create any untoward situation there as the image of Bangladesh is linked to their behaviour.

The state minister said people in all coronavirus-affected countries including Bangladesh and India are facing problems but it will be considered as their contribution in a positive way if they have patience.

"We're always keeping track of your wellbeing," he said assuring the students, especially those 300 students from Lovely Professional University in Punjab that the Bangladesh and the High Commission are beside them.

The state minister said Bangladesh High Commissioner in India is in constant contact with the university authorities and ensured everything necessary for the students.

He said the flights of private airlines will be operated in next seven to ten days and then they will try to operate flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other airlines upon permission from the Indian government.

Shahriar said the government will take initiative to bring back Bangladeshis from other Indian cities including Delhi after bringing back patients who went to India for treatment.

Some 2,500 Bangladeshi nationals, including over 1,000 students, got stuck in different Indian cities due to lockdown, according to the Foreign Ministry.

US-Bangla Airlines will operate special flights to bring back Bangladesh nationals who got stranded in Chennai and Kolkata due to countrywide lockdown in India amid coronavirus outbreak.

Kamrul Islam, general manager (Public Relations) of the US-Bangla Airlines, told UNB that they will operate six special flights on Chennai-Dhaka route from April 20-25.

Two more special flights will bring back the Bangladeshis from Kolkata to Dhaka on April 21 and April 23, he added.