Bangladeshis In Nepal Safe, Return Possible Once Situation Improves: Touhid

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today assured that all Bangladeshis currently stranded in Nepal — including members of the national football team — are safe and will be able to return once the situation stabilises.

“As long as the situation does not improve, we can do nothing. Their return will be possible as soon as flights between Dhaka and Kathmandu resume normal operations,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon.

Touhid dismissed the option of bringing them back through India, pointing out that none of them holds an Indian visa. “So, we have to wait,” he said.

He added that during the unrest, when protesters searched hotels for political leaders, they came across the Bangladeshi footballers but left without bothering them. “They have no negative feelings towards us, and I do not anticipate any crisis,” Touhid said, stressing that Bangladeshis in Nepal remain safe.

The adviser noted that the Bangladesh embassy in Kathmandu has been in constant contact with those stranded. “We hope everyone will return safely, but it will take some time,” he said.

On a separate issue, Touhid said Bangladesh would respond positively if the United Nations (UN) decided to deploy Bangladeshi peacekeepers in a buffer zone between Russia and Ukraine.

“It is for the United Nations to decide, and hopefully there will be a ceasefire between the two sides,” he said, adding that Bangladesh, given its long-standing role in global peacekeeping, would be willing to participate.

Responding to a query on the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) meeting held in New Delhi over water-sharing between Bangladesh and India, Touhid said he had not yet received any update. “Once I get the information, I will let you know,” he added.