Bangladesh summons Indian High Commissioner over security concerns at diplomatic missions in India

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary summoned Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday morning.

The meeting focused on escalating security issues surrounding Bangladesh's diplomatic missions across India, including in New Delhi and Kolkata.

Diplomatic sources indicated that strong protests were lodged regarding recent protests and security threats at these missions.

Bangladesh requested enhanced protection measures from Indian authorities to safeguard its diplomatic premises and staff.

This marks the second such summons for Verma in recent weeks, amid ongoing bilateral tensions.

In response to the deteriorating security environment, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi temporarily suspended consular and visa services on Monday, with a notice posted stating operations would remain closed until further notice. Similar suspensions were implemented at the Assistant High Commission in Agartala and the visa center in Siliguri.

Sources from both countries confirmed heightened security alerts at Bangladesh's High Commission, Deputy High Commission, Assistant High Commissions, and visa centers following days of protests.

Protests occurred outside the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and the visa center in Siliguri, where demonstrators reportedly locked the facility in some instances. In Agartala, the Assistant High Commission issued a statement citing unavoidable circumstances for closing all visa and consular services from December 23 onward.

Earlier incidents included a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi's diplomatic enclave on Saturday evening, which was later described by Indian officials as brief and peaceful. Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser rejected characterisations of the coverage as misleading.

A Kolkata official from the Deputy High Commission noted that the Siliguri visa center, operated by a private company, was advised to pause activities due to the security situation. Protests there involved burning of banners bearing the Bangladesh flag and effigies of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, along with threats to permanently close the center.

These developments reflect reciprocal strains, as India had earlier raised concerns over security at its own missions in Bangladesh amid unrelated unrest.