Dhaka (TDI): Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned India’s High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to protest violent incidents targeting its diplomatic facilities in India, including vandalism at visa centres and demonstrations outside its mission in New Delhi.
According to the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the incidents occurred on December 20 at the Bangladesh High Commission and the ambassador’s residence in New Delhi, and on December 22 at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri.
Dhaka described the attacks as premeditated acts of violence and intimidation, noting that such actions endanger diplomatic personnel and undermine the principles of mutual respect and peace.
The ministry urged India to conduct a thorough investigation and take immediate measures in line with its international and diplomatic obligations to ensure the safety and security of Bangladesh’s diplomatic staff and facilities. In response, India’s External Affairs Ministry confirmed that police had dispersed a group of 20–25 protesters outside the High Commission and reiterated its commitment to protecting foreign missions, while also dismissing portions of Bangladesh’s media coverage as misleading.
Read More: India Summons Bangladesh Envoy Over High Commission Security
The diplomatic tensions follow domestic unrest in Bangladesh over the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot while campaigning for February’s parliamentary elections. His death sparked widespread protests, which included arson and vandalism targeting media outlets and cultural institutions. Some protesters accused India of being complicit in the killing, further inflaming tensions between the two countries.
In parallel, hundreds of people demonstrated near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi over the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, where he was attacked for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Protesters clashed with police, chanted slogans, burnt pictures of Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, and demanded a boycott of Bangladesh. Similar demonstrations were also reported in other parts of India.
Read More: Bangladesh Signals Openness to New Bloc with Pakistan, Surpassing India
As a result of the unrest, Bangladesh has suspended consular and visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi, while the Indian Visa Application Centre in Chattogram has temporarily halted operations, citing security concerns.
The incidents underscore rising diplomatic friction between the two countries amid domestic and regional tensions, with both governments facing pressure to ensure the safety of their citizens and diplomatic missions abroad.
