India has summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) seeking details on the evolving situation and raising concerns over the safety and security of Indian diplomats, sources said. The move comes amid heightened diplomatic unease, while an official government statement is still awaited.
Sources confirmed that the Bangladesh High Commissioner was called in by the MEA, which sought an update on current developments and flagged concerns related to the security of Indian diplomatic personnel. No formal response has yet been issued by the government.
India–Bangladesh Ties Under Strain
Bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have come under strain following protests outside each other’s diplomatic missions, with both sides treating the incidents as serious security concerns. The tensions are unfolding against an already fragile backdrop, shaped by developments directly or indirectly linked to the ousted former Bangladeshi prime minister’s exile in New Delhi.
Envoys Summoned, Visa Services Affected
In recent days, both New Delhi and Dhaka have summoned each other’s envoys. Visa services have also been disrupted, with centres shut amid protest gatherings outside high commissions in both countries.
Protests Outside Diplomatic Missions
Last week, Dhaka police stopped a group of protesters from marching towards the Indian High Commission in the city’s Gulshan area. In New Delhi, the Bangladesh High Commission witnessed large-scale demonstrations by several organisations, led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), protesting alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. The protests followed the recent lynching of Dipu Chandra Das.
Unrest in Bangladesh Deepens Diplomatic Tensions
The latest deterioration in ties coincides with a period of unrest in Bangladesh, triggered by the killing of prominent student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, further complicating the diplomatic environment between the two neighbours.
