India has lodged a strong protest against what it has called the “deteriorating security situation” around its mission in Dhaka.
On Wednesday, India’s foreign ministry summoned Bangladeshi envoy Riaz Hamidullah to convey its concerns about the actions of some “extremist elements”, the ministry said in a statement.
“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of [Indian] missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” it added.
The move comes after protesters in Bangladesh began a march to the Indian high commission, seeking repatriation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since student-led protests ousted her last year.
Bangladesh has not responded to India’s comments yet.
On Sunday, Bangladesh had summoned India’s envoy in Dhaka to protest against alleged “incendiary statements” made by Hasina from Indian soil “to undermine the upcoming elections”.
Bangladesh is set to hold elections on 12 February under the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which took charge after Hasina fled to India in August 2024.
India has said it “categorically rejects the assertions” made by Bangladesh.
The relationship between the countries has become strained since Hasina fled to India following mass protests. Dhaka has repeatedly asked for her extradition so that she could stand trial for her alleged crimes.
Last month, a court in Bangladesh sentenced her to death after she was found guilty of allowing lethal force to be used against protesters, 1,400 of whom died during the unrest.
Hasina rejected the allegations, saying that it was the interim government’s way of “nullifying [her party] the Awami League as a political force” and that she was proud of her government’s record on human rights.
On Monday, leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) Hasnat Abdullah reportedly warned that Bangladesh would shelter separatist groups to isolate India’s “Seven Sisters” – the seven northeastern states – if Delhi tried to destabilise Dhaka.
He has been seen as referring to a narrow corridor in India that lies between Nepal and Bangladesh and connects the rest of India to the northeastern states, proving to be an economic and strategic challenge to Delhi.
India’s foreign ministry said it “completely rejects the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh”.
“It is unfortunate that the interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidents,” it added.
Ahead of the elections, political tensions in Bangladesh have escalated and there have been reports of several protests in the past few weeks.
Earlier this week, India closed its visa application centre in Dhaka, saying that appointments set for the second half of the day would be rescheduled.