India summons Bangladesh High Commissioner

India has summoned Bangladesh's High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, on Wednesday. 

New Delhi took the step two days after the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh.

Samakal's Kolkata Correspondent said Bangladesh's High Commissioner in New Delhi reached India's Ministry of External Affairs at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan shortly after noon. He was there for around 20 minutes. As per a source, New Delhi is unhappy over a statement from political leader Hasnat Abdullah. 

India's Foreign Ministry said Hamidullah was apprised of India's strong concerns about 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," the Ministry said in a statement.

India maintained that it 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," it said.

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," the statement added.