September 3, 2024
THIMPHU – With the political situation in Bangladesh improving after a month of unrest, Bhutanese students are beginning to return for their studies.
The violence that gripped the neighbouring country from early July to mid-August has subsided and the situation is returning to normalcy.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MoFAET), about 237 Bhutanese are studying in Bangladesh, of which 230 had returned to the country during the political turmoil.
Educational institutions in Bangladesh were closed indefinitely from July 17 to ensure the safety of students in the wake of clashes that erupted during the recent movement demanding reform of the job quota system.
During the seventh Meet-the-Press on August 31, MoFAET D N Dhungyel said that with the interim government in place, the situation has improved in Bangladesh.
“A majority of the students have returned to their universities. The exact count will be updated once the ministry gets an update from the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka by this weekend,” he said.
Lyonpo said that the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka was proactively getting in touch with the relevant agencies, officials and students to ensure their safety. “Bhutanese students who stayed back during the turmoil are all safe and have started their sessions.”
The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh issued a directive to reopen all the institutions under its jurisdiction on August 15, following which, all the educational institutions, including universities, secondary schools, and colleges were reopened on August 18.
The MoFAET and Royal Bhutanese Embassy are regularly assessing the situation to evaluate the potential impact of the situation in Bangladesh on Bhutanese students and bilateral trade.
Despite the political instability, Bhutan’s trade with Bangladesh has remained robust.
Lyonpo Dhungyel reported that Bhutan maintained a positive trade balance with Bangladesh, exporting goods worth Nu 5.03 billion and importing only Nu 0.08 billion in the previous year.
Bhutan’s exports to Bangladesh exceeded Nu 5 billion in 2021, touched Nu 4 billion in 2022, and again picked up to more than Nu 5 billion in 2023. As of mid this year, the export has already exceeded Nu 3 billion, and it is projected to reach Nu 6 billion by end of the financial year.
“While there had been minor disruptions like Bhutanese trucks being stranded at the Indo-Bangladesh borders, the overall trade flow has remained constructive through diplomatic intervention this year,” Lyonpo said.
Currently, Bangladesh is facing severe flooding due to heavy rains, affecting 11 out of 64 districts. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief of Bangladesh has reported that around 190,000 people are in emergency relief shelters.