NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah and conveyed its “strong concerns” over the worsening security situation in Bangladesh, particularly threats directed at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.In a statement, the ministry of external affairs said the Bangladesh envoy was apprised of India’s concerns “at the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh”, adding that 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 also pushed back strongly against allegations circulating in Bangladesh in recent days. “India completely rejects the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh,” the statement said. It added that it was “unfortunate that the interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidents.”The summons came after reports that the Indian High Commission in Dhaka had received a threat, as per ANI. Earlier National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah, who delivered a speech containing strong anti-India rhetoric. Abdullah warned of isolating India’s northeastern states and offered refuge to separatist groups in the region if Bangladesh were to be destabilised.On Monday, Abdullah described India’s northeastern states as geographically “vulnerable”, pointing to their dependence on the narrow Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”, for access to the rest of the country. His comments have been widely criticised in India and seen as a direct threat to regional security.Abdullah rose to prominence during last year’s student-led protests that culminated in the ouster of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August. Since fleeing Dhaka, Hasina has been living in Delhi, a development that has further strained bilateral ties between the two neighbours.Last month, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina of “crimes against humanity” linked to the protests and sentenced her to death. Hasina has rejected the verdict, describing it as “politically motivated.”
