India summons Bangladesh High Commissioner over deteriorating security situation, anti-India remarks

New Delhi: Expressing serious concern over the “deteriorating security environment” in neighboring Bangladesh and recent “anti-India” statements made by a political leader there, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah.

In an official statement, the MEA said the Bangladesh envoy was called in to convey India’s strong concerns regarding the worsening security situation in Bangladesh. “The High Commissioner of Bangladesh in India was summoned today, and India conveyed its deep concern over the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh,” the ministry said.

The MEA also drew the High Commissioner’s attention to reports of certain extremist groups announcing plans to create security threats around the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. India conveyed that any threat to the safety of its diplomatic missions and personnel is unacceptable and must be addressed with utmost seriousness by the authorities concerned.

The summons comes in the backdrop of recent remarks made by Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), who, in a public speech, allegedly threatened that Bangladesh would provide shelter to groups hostile to India and assist in separating India’s northeastern “Seven Sisters” states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

Indian officials viewed these remarks as provocative and inimical to bilateral relations.
The MEA also rejected what it described as “false narratives” being propagated by extremist elements in Bangladesh, attempting to link India to certain recent incidents in the country.

“India completely rejects the false narratives that extremist elements are trying to create regarding recent events in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that the interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation into these incidents nor shared any meaningful evidence with India,” the statement said.

The diplomatic exchange follows Bangladesh’s decision earlier this week to summon Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, to lodge a protest. Dhaka had alleged that deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently residing in India, was being allowed to make “provocative statements” from Indian soil.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Bangladesh’s interim government accused Sheikh Hasina of calling upon her supporters to engage in violent activities in Bangladesh and of making inflammatory remarks aimed at disrupting the country’s forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Responding to those allegations, India had categorically stated that it does not permit its territory to be used for activities that are contrary to the interests of Bangladesh. The MEA also expressed hope that Bangladesh would be able to conduct its upcoming elections in a peaceful and inclusive manner.

The latest developments underline growing tensions between the two neighbors at a sensitive political juncture in Bangladesh. While India has reiterated its commitment to stable and friendly relations with Dhaka, it has also made it clear that threats to its security interests and diplomatic missions will be firmly addressed through appropriate diplomatic channels.

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