Delhi urges Dhaka to ensure security of Indian missions
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh sharpened as New Delhi summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner, M Riaz Hamidullah, over what it described as a deteriorating security environment surrounding the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the summons was issued on 17 December to convey strong concern about recent developments, particularly announcements by what it termed extremist elements indicating plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission.
The issue was linked to a planned protest march by a platform called July Oikya towards the Indian High Commission, as well as recent remarks by National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah on India’s northeastern states.
High Commissioner Hamidullah arrived at the MEA office at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan on Janpath shortly after 12:30 pm Indian time and remained there for around 20 minutes on Wednesday. According to sources, Indian officials underscored the seriousness with which New Delhi views the security of its diplomatic premises, although no specific details of alleged threats were made public.
In a formal statement, the MEA said India “completely rejects” what it described as a false narrative being promoted by extremist groups in connection with recent incidents in Bangladesh.
“India completely rejects the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that the interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidents,” it added.
New Delhi reiterated that it expects Dhaka to ensure the safety of all missions and posts in keeping with its diplomatic obligations.
India also stressed that its relationship with Bangladesh is rooted in the Liberation War and has been strengthened through development cooperation and people to people ties.
“India has close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh rooted in the liberation struggle, and strengthened through various developmental and people-to-people initiatives.
We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections, conducted in a peaceful atmosphere,” it added.
The Indian move came just two days after Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma in Dhaka over what it described as anti election activities by fugitive political figures, marking a rare exchange of back to back diplomatic summonses between the two neighbours.
Earlier on Wednesday, July Oikya announced a “March to the Indian High Commission” at 3 pm, demanding the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive Awami League leaders currently in India.
The platform also protested what it called conspiracies by Indian proxy political parties, media and government officials. India’s South Block expressed concern that the programme could pose security risks to the High Commission premises.
The march began around 3:30 pm from Rampura Bridge but was stopped by police barricades in the Badda area of the capital before it could reach the diplomatic zone.
Protesters later staged a sit in on Pragati Sarani after removing some barricades, chanting slogans and delivering speeches. Traffic on Pragati Sarani and the Badda Gulshan link road remained suspended for nearly two hours, causing severe congestion.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police said security measures were tightened across the capital, with checkpoints set up from Wednesday afternoon at key entry points and sensitive locations to maintain law and order.
Police officials said personnel from the Gulshan Division and the Diplomatic Security Division were deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
Amid the heightened security situation, the Indian Visa Application Centre at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka announced it would close at 2 pm on Wednesday, citing safety concerns.
Applicants with appointments scheduled for the day were told they would be given new dates later.