Indian High Commissioner summoned again in Dhaka
Diplomatic tensions resurfaced after Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma was summoned to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 23. According to diplomatic sources, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam raised concerns over the security of Bangladeshi missions in Indian cities, including New Delhi and Kolkata, and called for stronger protective measures.
This marked the second time in the past 10 days that Verma has been summoned. Since the formation of Bangladesh’s interim Government, the Indian envoy has reportedly been called in at least six times in connection with various bilateral and security-related issues.
Earlier, on December 14, Verma was summoned following an attack on Inquilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman Hadi.
Bangladesh had then sought India’s cooperation to ensure that those involved did not flee across the border.
The latest developments underscore growing diplomatic unease between the two neighbours, with both sides closely monitoring the situation amid heightened sensitivities over security and public protests. In a sharp diplomatic response, Bangladesh on Monday strongly condemned protests targeting its diplomatic establishments in India and summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, citing serious concerns over the safety and security of Bangladeshi missions and personnel.
In an official statement, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced what it described as “premeditated acts of violence and intimidation” against diplomatic premises, warning that such actions threaten diplomatic personnel and violate internationally accepted norms of mutual respect, peace, and tolerance. Dhaka urged New Delhi to take immediate and effective steps to ensure the protection of Bangladeshi diplomatic missions across India.
The condemnation followed protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, with similar demonstrations reported in Kolkata. In response, security has been significantly heightened at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Armed police personnel have been deployed around the mission, while armoured vehicles of the Bangladesh Army have been positioned near the main gates to prevent any untoward incident.
