bangladesh foreign ministry

A devastating fire in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar hotel claimed at least 21 lives, including foreign nationals from countries like Bangladesh and Nigeria. The External Affairs Minister expressed condolences and assured assistance to embassies. Investigations reveal the establishment may have operated with more rooms than permitted, raising serious questions about safety and emergency response.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a new "detect-delete-deport" policy targeting illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. The state is establishing "holding centres" across districts to temporarily house apprehended foreigners before repatriation, with two centres already operational in Murshidabad and Malda.

A devastating Delhi hotel fire claimed 21 lives, including 17 foreign nationals, with investigations revealing safety lapses and illegal expansion. In West Bengal, a TMC leader claimed rebel status as opposition leader. Meanwhile, India condemned a Kuwait airport attack that killed an Indian national. DK Shivakumar took oath as Karnataka CM, projecting Congress unity.

Bengal has opened its first holding centres for illegal foreign nationals in Malda and Murshidabad, districts bordering Bangladesh. Nine Bangladeshis were moved to Malda's centre, and three to Murshidabad's, after being intercepted without valid documents. This initiative follows a state government order to house apprehended foreigners before deportation, with similar centres planned across other districts.

West Bengal's BJP government has launched its 'detect, delete and deport' policy, opening a holding center in Malda for illegal foreign nationals. Nine suspected Bangladeshi nationals are currently housed there, awaiting verification and legal procedures. This initiative aims to streamline the deportation process for apprehended individuals, as mandated by a new national law.

A high-level committee, tasked with examining "artificial" demographic shifts due to illegal immigration, will also assess the need for a new law. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the panel, headed by Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naoleker, will report within a year.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has rejected Ladakh LG VK Saxena's claims about the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement's origins and a meeting's tone. Wangchuk asserted he remains an "honorary cockroach" and supports the CJP, dismissing Saxena's assertions of him being unsure and his comparison of Ladakh to Manipur as an "error of judgment."

Recalling the meeting, Wangchuk said he was surprised by the message conveyed through Saxena's post on X after what he described as a friendly and constructive discussion. "I thought this was maybe to please some boss somewhere in Delhi who had instructed him to call me up and say such things, but the meeting was none like this, only the tweet was," he said.

Marking a significant diplomatic effort, a Bangladeshi delegation of six is set to arrive in Kolkata, aiming to renew the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty before its expiration in December 2026. A critical part of their discussions will revolve around gauging water flow at the Farakka Barrage, in line with the provisions of the 1996 agreement.

India urged Bangladesh to expedite nationality verification for illegal immigrants, linking it to repatriation efforts. This response follows Bangladesh's concerns about potential "pushback" incidents after the BJP's West Bengal election victory, with Dhaka seeking cooperation for smooth deportations.

Bangladesh summoned India's acting High Commissioner to protest remarks by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, stressing the need to avoid comments that could harm bilateral ties. Dhaka conveyed its displeasure, describing the statements as disparaging to Bangladesh-India relations and highlighting the counterproductive nature of statements straining ties.