Delhi summons Bangladesh envoy over security concerns as July Oikya stages march towards Indian mission
The Indian foreign ministry conveyed its security concerns to the high commissioner and underscored the seriousness with which New Delhi views the issue
Highlights
- New Delhi's move followed announcement of July Oikya march and anti-India remarks
- MEA warned of extremist plans to create a security situation near the Indian mission
- India rejected "false narratives" and criticised lack of investigation by Bangladesh's interim government
- Diplomatic tensions rose after both sides summoned each other's high commissioners
India's Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi M Riaz Hamidullah, citing security concerns around the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
According to the ministry, the summons followed the announcement of the "July Oikya" march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, which New Delhi feared could lead to disorder and disrupt the mission's security protocols. The march, however, was obstructed by police.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
High Commissioner Hamidullah arrived at the Indian external affairs ministry at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan on Janpath shortly after 12:30pm Indian time and remained there for around 20 minutes.
In a statement, the ministry later said, "The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Riaz Hamidullah, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs today and apprised of India's deep concern over the deterioration of the security environment in Bangladesh. Particular attention was drawn to the activities of certain extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka."
The statement added, "India completely rejects the false narratives being attempted by extremist elements regarding some recent developments in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, the interim government has neither carried out a thorough investigation into these incidents nor shared any meaningful evidence with India."
It pointed out that 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" and said New Delhi favoured peace and stability in Bangladesh.
The statement also said India has "consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections, conducted in a peaceful atmosphere".
It said New Delhi expected Bangladesh's interim government "to ensure the safety of missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations."
Earlier, July Oikya called for a "March to the Indian High Commission" at 3pm yesterday, demanding the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina – who has taken shelter in India – and protesting what it described as continued conspiracies by "Indian proxy political parties, the media league and government officials" in Bangladesh. India's South Block expressed concern that the programme could pose security risks to the High Commission premises.
Since Sheikh Hasina took refuge in India in August last year in the face of a mass uprising, things between Bangladesh and India have heated up sometimes.
In December last year, members of Hindu Sangharsh Samiti – an organisation affiliated to the right-wing Hindutva group Vishva Hindu Parishad – attacked the premises of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Tripura's capital Agartala, vandalising the flagpole and setting the Bangladesh national flag on fire.
On Monday, National Citizen Party Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah warned that India's northeastern "Seven Sisters" states would be isolated if Bangladesh were destabilised. Speaking at an all-party protest rally organised by Inquilab Moncho at the Central Shaheed Minar, he alleged that those creating chaos in Bangladesh, attempting to sabotage the election process and involved in the attack on Osman Hadi were being backed by India.
In response to this, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma yesterday said India will not remain silent in the face of repeated remarks from Bangladesh suggesting the merger of India's Northeast with the neighbouring country.
According to The Indian Express, Sarma told reporters that "statements have been emanating from Bangladesh for the past year with calls to merge the Northeast with that country. But how will Bangladesh do it? It's wrong to even imagine this."
He said India is a large and sovereign nation with the world's fourth-largest economy, warning that continued rhetoric of this nature would invite a firm response. "If such behaviour continues, we should teach them a lesson that we will not remain silent," he added.
