Bangladesh summons high commissioner again

Bangladesh has summoned India’s high commissioner in Dhaka on Tuesday over a series of protests and acts of vandalism targeting Bangladeshi missions in India.

The latest summons underscores mounting strain in bilateral ties during Bangladesh’s fragile political transition.

Since the interim administration assumed office following months of upheaval, the Indian high commissioner has been summoned five times previously on a range of issues, including border incidents, political rhetoric and the treatment of Bangladeshi nationals. Tuesday’s meeting marks the sixth such démarche, reflecting Dhaka’s determination to assert diplomatic norms amid heightened sensitivities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said it called in the Indian high commissioner, Pranay Verma,  to convey “grave concern” over what it described as “regrettable incidents” outside the Bangladesh high commission and the official residence in New Delhi on 20 December, as well as vandalism at the Bangladesh visa centre in Siliguri two days later. Dhaka said the actions were carried out by “different extremist elements”.

In a statement, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Bangladesh was “deeply concerned” by violent demonstrations staged outside several Bangladeshi diplomatic premises in India. Such actions, the statement added, constituted premeditated intimidation that endangered diplomatic personnel and undermined “the principles of mutual respect and the values of peace and tolerance”.

The government formally condemned the incidents, stressing that attacks on diplomatic establishments violate international norms and obligations. Dhaka urged New Delhi to launch a thorough investigation, take all necessary steps to prevent a recurrence and ensure the safety and security of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions and related facilities across India.

“The Government of Bangladesh expects the Government of India to immediately take appropriate steps in accordance with its international and diplomatic obligations to safeguard the dignity and security of diplomatic personnel and establishments,” the spokesperson said.

New Delhi has previously maintained that it is committed to the safety of all foreign missions and to upholding its responsibilities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

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