India primes diplomat families' evacuations

By way of abundant caution ahead of possibly bloody polls in Bangladesh, MEA plans safe passage

- Ashwin Ahmad

India’s classification of Bangladesh as a “non-family” posting, reported in a section of the media, has surprised members of the diplomatic community in New Delhi.

These reports have not been denied. This means that families of the diplomats are to leave Bangladesh, a draw-down of sorts. While bilateral ties have worsened after PM Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh, the removal of the families of diplomats from that country, which is yet to be confirmed by the MEA, would make for an unprecedented action.

Senior diplomats told FPJ that the Indian government declares a nation a “non-family posting” only in extreme cases, and examples have included Yemen in 2015 and Afghanistan in 2021 These were necessitated by an outbreak of civil war and an absence of government. This is not the case in Bangladesh, which is heading to elections on February 12, albeit under a transitional government.