The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, to formally convey Dhaka’s “grave concern” over recent incidents involving Bangladesh’s
diplomatic establishments in India, including protests, vandalism and what it described as acts of intimidation.
According to an official statement issued in Dhaka today, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry raised strong objections to incidents that took place outside the perimeter of the Bangladesh High Commission and the official residence in New Delhi on December 20, as well as acts of vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22.
Bangladesh also expressed deep concern over violent protests staged outside the premises of different Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in India.
The statement said Bangladesh condemns “acts of premeditated violence or intimidation” against diplomatic establishments, warning that such actions endanger the safety of diplomatic personnel and undermine principles of mutual respect, peace and tolerance.
Dhaka called upon the Government of India to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents, take necessary steps to prevent their recurrence, and ensure the safety and security of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions and related facilities across India.
Bangladesh further said it expects India to take immediate and appropriate measures in line with its international and diplomatic obligations to safeguard the dignity, security and inviolability of diplomatic personnel and establishments.
On December 19, security arrangements at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi were bolstered following violent protests in Bangladesh after the death of prominent leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
PTI reported that tension gripped Bangladesh after Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed Hadi’s death in a televised address, triggering widespread protests, attacks and vandalism.
Meanwhile, India has pushed back against what it described as misleading claims regarding demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission.
On December 21, the Ministry of External Affairs dismissed “misleading propaganda” in sections of the Bangladeshi media over a demonstration held in front of the High Commission in New Delhi.
MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that nearly 25 people briefly gathered on December 20 to protest the killing of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and to demand protection of minorities in Bangladesh.
He asserted that there was no attempt to breach the High Commission’s perimeter and that the protest posed no security threat.
“At no point was the security of the diplomatic mission compromised,” Jaiswal said, adding that police dispersed the group within minutes and that visual evidence was publicly available.
Reaffirming India’s position, the MEA said the country remains committed to ensuring the safety of foreign missions in accordance with the Vienna Convention, while continuing to convey its concerns to Bangladeshi authorities over attacks on minorities and seeking justice for those responsible.
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