New Delhi: The Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, was on Tuesday summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs and apprised of India’s strong concerns at 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.
In a statement, the ministry said, “India 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.”
“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.” it added.
The summons follows remarks by Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP), who warned that Dhaka could provide refuge to forces hostile to New Delhi and assist in cutting off India’s ‘Seven Sisters’. The Seven Sisters — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura — include four states (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram) that share land borders with Bangladesh, making them strategically sensitive for India.
Abdullah was quoted by local media, saying, “I want to make it clear to India that if you provide shelter to forces that do not respect Bangladesh’s sovereignty, potential, voting rights, and human rights, Bangladesh will respond.”
“If Bangladesh is destabilized, the fire of resistance will spread beyond its borders,” he warned.
Criticizing India’s role, Hasnat said, “Even after 54 years of independence, Bangladesh continues to face attempts by ‘vultures’ seeking to exert control over the country.”