India summons B’desh envoy over threat to Dhaka mission

India on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh high commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and registered a protest over the deteriorating security environment in the neighbouring country and plans by extremists that could affect the security of the Indian mission in Dhaka.

- Rezaul H Laskar [e-mail]

The development marked yet another low point in bilateral relations, which have been strained since former premier Sheikh Hasina's government collapsed in the face of widespread student-led protests and a caretaker administration led by Muhammad Yunus assumed office in August 2024. Over the past few days, certain extremist forces have planned protests around the Indian high commission in Dhaka, people familiar with the matter said.

Hamidullah was summoned by joint secretary B Shyam, who heads the Bangladesh-Myanmar division of the external affairs ministry and served a demarche or formal diplomatic representation, the people said on condition of anonymity.

"We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations," the external affairs ministry said in a readout. It noted that Hamidullah was informed of India's "strong concerns at the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh" and the "activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka".