India protests over security concerns at Dhaka mission
“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of [Indian] missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” the statement added.
The move comes amid protests in Bangladesh, where demonstrators have marched toward the Indian high commission demanding the repatriation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since student-led protests forced her departure last year.
Bangladesh has yet to respond to India’s concerns.
Earlier, Bangladesh had summoned India’s envoy in Dhaka to protest alleged “incendiary statements” made by Hasina from Indian soil, which Dhaka claimed aimed to undermine the upcoming elections scheduled for 12 February. The elections are being held under an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which assumed office after Hasina fled in August 2024. India has “categorically rejected the assertions” made by Bangladesh.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since Hasina’s exile. Dhaka has repeatedly requested her extradition to face trial for alleged crimes, and last month a Bangladeshi court sentenced her to death for permitting lethal force against protesters, in which 1,400 people reportedly died. Hasina has denied the allegations, describing them as an attempt to weaken her party, the Awami League, while asserting pride in her government’s human rights record.
Tensions have intensified further as Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah reportedly warned that the country might shelter separatist groups to isolate India’s “Seven Sisters” — the seven northeastern states — if Delhi sought to destabilize Dhaka. The reference concerns the narrow corridor connecting India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country.
India’s foreign ministry rejected what it called “the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh” and criticized the interim government for not conducting a thorough investigation or providing evidence about the incidents.
Amid rising political tensions and protests in Bangladesh ahead of the elections, India also temporarily closed its visa application center in Dhaka, rescheduling appointments for later in the day.
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