India summons Bangladeshi ambassador amid tensions over diplomatic security

Ahmad Adil and SM Najmus Sakib

NEW DELHI / DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - India on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh’s ambassador as tensions flared over the presence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India and protests in Dhaka targeting the Indian diplomatic mission.

The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said it summoned Bangladeshi High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah to convey “strong concerns at the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh.”

India denounced “plans to create a security situation” near the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, according to an official statement.

“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” it added.

New Delhi said it “completely rejects the false narrative sought to be created" 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,” the ministry said.

In Dhaka, police stopped protesters, including leaders of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union, as they marched towards the Indian diplomatic mission on Wednesday.

They were demanding the return of fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India last year during mass protests that ended her 15-year rule.
Last month, Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity.

India’s move also came a week after Dhaka summoned an Indian envoy to express concern over allegedly allowing Hasina to undermine next February’s national elections.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has scheduled parliamentary elections for Feb. 12 under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, which was formed after the collapse of Hasina’s government amid mass protests in August 2024.

According to the UN, around 1,400 people were killed during the uprising.

Since then, Hasina and her Awami League party have rejected the election roadmap, calling it illegal and vowing to resist it.