NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and lodged a strong protest over what it described as plans by extremist elements to create a security situation around the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Hamidullah was called to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and served a formal demarche expressing India’s “serious concerns” over the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh.
The move came after certain groups announced plans to stage protests near the Indian mission in the Bangladeshi capital. In a statement issued shortly after the meeting, the MEA said 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,” the MEA said.
Hamidullah was summoned by B Shyam, Joint Secretary in charge of the Bangladesh–Myanmar division in the MEA and was specifically apprised of concerns over threats to Indian diplomatic premises.
“His attention was drawn, in particular, to the activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka,” the MEA said.
India underscored that it expects Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure the safety and security of Indian missions and personnel, in line with its international diplomatic obligations.
“India expects the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure the safety of its missions and posts in that country,” the statement said.
People familiar with the developments said the trigger for the summons was a controversial speech earlier this week by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah, who claimed Bangladesh could shelter separatist forces from India and potentially sever its seven northeastern states.
New Delhi viewed the remarks as inflammatory and destabilising, they said.
The MEA reiterated India’s broader position on Bangladesh’s political transition, noting that parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 12.
“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 said.
The episode comes days after Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to convey its concerns over what it termed “incendiary” statements by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Indian soil.
In response, New Delhi asserted that it has “never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of Bangladesh.”
