India Summons Bangladesh Envoy Over Security Concerns in Dhaka
India on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to New Delhi to convey strong concerns over what it described as a deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh, particularly threats targeting the Indian Mission in Dhaka. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the envoy was informed about activities by certain extremist elements who have allegedly announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian High Commission, developments New Delhi said were a matter of serious concern.
The diplomatic move followed Bangladesh’s decision earlier this week to summon the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to protest what it termed “incendiary statements” made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Indian soil. Dhaka warned that such remarks could undermine the country’s upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, to be held under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Hasina fled to India in August last year amid mass protests, after which bilateral ties have cooled sharply.
Political tensions in Bangladesh have intensified ahead of the election, with protests and counterprotests reported in recent weeks. On Wednesday, a group of demonstrators under the banner “July Oikya” began marching towards the Indian High Commission, demanding Hasina’s return. Citing the prevailing security situation, the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka suspended operations from the afternoon, rescheduling visa appointments without specifying when normal services would resume.
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