NEW DELHI: India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to issue a formal diplomatic protest over recent threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and inflammatory anti-India statements from Bangladeshi political leaders.
The summons comes after a leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) threatened that Dhaka would shelter forces hostile to Delhi and help sever India’s “seven sisters”—a term used to describe the country’s northeastern states– from India.
The Foreign Ministry said Hamidullah was apprised of India’s strong concerns about the deteriorating security environment 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 Ministry said in a statement.
India maintained that 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 said.
“India has close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh rooted in the liberation struggle and strengthened through various developmental and people-to-people initiatives. We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections, conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” the statement added.
The “Seven Sisters” Remark
“Seven Sisters will be separated from India,” Abdullah said at a protest rally organised by Inqilab Mancha against those involved in the attack on another student leader, Osman Hadi, doubling down on preposterous claims that the accused are being backed by India.
The provocative remarks from student-led NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah came as Bangladesh celebrated its 55th Victory Day earlier this week.
India has, meanwhile, dismissed the allegations, with the Foreign Ministry asserting, “We expect that the interim government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections.”
Pictures credit social media
