Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has assured that all Bangladeshi nationals stranded in Nepal, including members of national football team, are safe amid the ongoing unrest and will be brought back once the situation normalises.

Speaking to reporters at Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, he said that as long as the situation remains unstable, there is little the government can do to facilitate their return.

He noted that repatriation will be possible once regular flights between Dhaka and Kathmandu resume.

Touhid dismissed the option of bringing them back through India, pointing out that none of them hold Indian visas.

“So, we have to wait,” he added.

He highlighted an incident during the protests in Kathmandu, where demonstrators entered hotels looking for political figures but did not disturb Bangladeshi footballers when they encountered them.

“They have no negative sentiment towards us and I do not anticipate any crisis,” the adviser said, reiterating that all Bangladeshis in Nepal are currently safe.

He also said the Bangladeshi embassy in Kathmandu has been in constant contact with those stranded and expressed hope that they will all return safely, although it may take some time.

On another issue, Touhid said Bangladesh would be open to contributing peacekeepers to a potential United Nations buffer zone between Russia and Ukraine, should such a request be made.

He emphasised that any decision would depend on the UN and the emergence of a ceasefire between the two countries.

“Given our experience in peacekeeping, we would certainly want to participate,” he added.

When asked about the outcome of the recent Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) meeting held in New Delhi regarding water-sharing agreements between Bangladesh and India, Touhid said he had not yet received any updates.

“Once I get the information, I will let you know,” he said.