New Delhi: India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to lodge a formal diplomatic protest over recent anti-India remarks by Bangladeshi political leaders and emerging threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.The summons comes in the wake of controversial statements by Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP), who threatened to help isolate India’s “Seven Sisters” — a term commonly used to describe the northeastern states — from the rest of the country.
Abdullah also claimed that Dhaka would shelter forces hostile to New Delhi.According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Bangladeshi envoy was apprised of India’s serious concerns regarding the deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh.
“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 in a statement.India firmly rejected what it described as a “false narrative” being pushed by extremist elements in connection with recent incidents in Bangladesh. The Ministry expressed disappointment that Bangladesh’s interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared credible evidence with India regarding these developments.
“It is unfortunate that the interim government has not carried out a comprehensive probe or provided meaningful information to India on these incidents,” the statement noted.Reiterating its long-standing ties with Bangladesh, India said relations between the two countries are rooted in the liberation struggle and have been strengthened through development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. New Delhi emphasised that it supports peace, stability, and democratic processes in Bangladesh.“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic missions and posts in Bangladesh, in line with its international obligations,” the MEA added, while reiterating its call for free, fair, inclusive, and peaceful elections in the country.
The controversial remarks by Hasnat Abdullah were made during a protest rally organised by Inqilab Mancha, where he claimed that the “Seven Sisters will be separated from India,” doubling down on allegations that India was backing individuals accused in an attack on student leader Osman Hadi.
The remarks came even as Bangladesh marked its 55th Victory Day earlier this week.India has categorically dismissed these allegations, stressing that it expects Bangladesh’s interim authorities to take all necessary measures to maintain internal law and order and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
