Indian diplomats' families face no security threat in Bangladesh: Foreign adviser

There is no situation in Bangladesh that poses a security risk to Indian officials or their family members, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said today (28 January).

Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he dismissed speculation that Indian diplomats were sending back family members due to security concerns.

"There is no concern. And as for signals – I don't really understand that. This is entirely their own matter," Touhid Hossain said when asked whether the move indicated any security warning. 

"They can ask their employees' families to leave at any time."

According to media reports on 20 January, India decided to make Bangladesh a "non-family" posting for its diplomats due to security concerns. 

However, all five diplomatic missions of India in Bangladesh (Dhaka, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chattogram and Khulna) will continue operating at full strength, according to the Hindustan Times.

Responding to queries on the matter, Adviser Touhid said he could find no justification for such a decision, stressing that no incident had occurred in Bangladesh that would endanger Indian officials or their families. 

India to withdraw diplomats' families from Bangladesh over security reasons

"There is no situation in Bangladesh where their officials or family members are in danger. Not a single such incident has taken place," he said.

The adviser acknowledged that India might have its own apprehensions or intentions. 

"They may have some concern in mind, or perhaps they want to convey a message – it could be. But I cannot find any clear message in this," he added.

Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh has no objection if Indian diplomats choose to send back their family members. 

"If they want to do so, there is nothing we can do about it," he said.

Referring to the overall law and order situation, he said security had not deteriorated. 

Minor incidents during election periods were not unusual, he noted, adding that the current situation did not appear worse than in previous elections.

Asked whether India had formally communicated any security-related concerns to Bangladesh, the foreign affairs adviser said no such information had been conveyed, and Bangladesh had not been told that Indian diplomats or their families were facing any danger.