December 22, 2025
DHAKA – The India-Bangladesh ties, which came under strain following the August 5 political changeover, have deteriorated further, with both countries voicing concerns over security of their missions.
Yesterday, the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chattogram city suspended its operations until further notice, citing the recent security situation at the Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) in the port city.
Last week, the IVACs in Dhaka, Khulna and Rajshahi remained partially closed for one day each, citing security concerns amid protests in the three cities.
Dhaka and New Delhi issued conflicting statements yesterday over a demonstration near the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
The Indian external affairs ministry said a group of 20-25 youths protested on Saturday against the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a garment worker, by a mob in Mymensingh, and called for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh, but did not create any security situation.
At a media briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian external affairs ministry, said they noticed misleading propaganda by some sections of the Bangladeshi media regarding the incident.
He said there was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time, and that the police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes.
In Dhaka, at a press briefing at the foreign ministry yesterday, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain questioned why the Indian authorities allowed protesters to enter and demonstrate in the secure diplomatic zone where the Bangladesh High Commission is located.
He rejected the Indian press note regarding the event, and said the matter was not as simple as it was portrayed.
“Our mission, the Bangladesh mission, is located deep within the diplomatic area. It is not situated on the outskirts or at the entrance of the diplomatic zone,” he said.
“How could a group of 25 or 30 people from a Hindu extremist organisation manage to reach so far into a secure area?”
Touhid said those individuals normally would not have been able to enter in this manner unless they were permitted.
“Standing there, they did not just give slogans protesting the killing of the Hindu man; they said much more.”
He said the information he received suggested that death threats were issued to Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah, who resides there with his family. They felt threatened and panicked due to inadequate security as only two guards were present.
“Therefore, we believe it is the responsibility of that country to handle the situation more effectively.”
Usually, when a protest group marches toward such a secure area, police stop them at a considerable distance from the zone. This is standard practice everywhere, including in Bangladesh, he said.
Touhid further said a Bangladeshi citizen was brutally murdered, and there is no justification for equating this with minority security issues here. Bangladeshi authorities took immediate action.
“Such incidents occur not just in Bangladesh; they happen across all countries in this region, and it is every country’s responsibility to take appropriate measures. Bangladesh is taking such measures; others should do the same.”
Referring to New Delhi’s statement, he said Dhaka has taken note of India’s commitment to ensuring the security of all Bangladesh missions in India.
He said both countries are maintaining regular contact regarding the security of their missions.
Asked whether Dhaka is considering reducing the number of staff in the mission, Touhid said they would do so if such a situation arises. For now, Dhaka trusts that India will take appropriate security measures.
Earlier, India had drastically restricted visa issuance and trade with Bangladesh following the August 5 changeover, when deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi. On the other hand, Dhaka imposed restrictions on the import of Indian yarn through land ports.
While Delhi repeatedly expressed concerns over alleged attacks on minorities after the August changeover, Dhaka said these were internal matters and political in nature, and India should not intervene. Dhaka also spoke of exaggeration of certain incidents and the spread of misinformation and disinformation by sections of the Indian media.
Bangladesh repeatedly called on India to prevent Hasina from making incendiary comments, arguing that such remarks were creating instability in Bangladesh.
It also requested India twice — once in December last year and again in November this year — to extradite Hasina after the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her and ex-minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death.
In a recent media interview, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said it was up to Hasina to decide whether to return home — a statement analysts view as an indication that India is unlikely to extradite Hasina anytime soon.
The latest escalation in Dhaka-Delhi tensions followed the shooting and subsequent death of Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi. There were news reports that the alleged shooter reportedly fled to India.
On December 14, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma and drew attention to “anti-Bangladesh activities” by fugitive Awami League members currently based in India.
“These activities include planning, organising and facilitating terrorist acts inside Bangladesh with the objective of disrupting the forthcoming elections,” said the ministry statement.
The ministry also said Hasina has been calling on her supporters to engage in terrorist activities aimed at destabilising the country and derailing the election.
It urged New Delhi to ensure the immediate arrest and extradition of suspects involved in the shooting of Hadi — a key figure of the July uprising — should they enter Indian territory.
Delhi rejected Dhaka’s assertions the same day, saying India “never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh”.
On December 17, the Indian foreign ministry summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India to express strong concerns over the “deteriorating security environment” in Bangladesh.
In a statement later that day, it said, “India 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.”
Delhi also said it supports peace and stability in Bangladesh and has consistently called for free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
In reaction to the statement, Touhid said that no advice was needed from India, which did not speak about any elections during the AL regime.
The same day, the IVAC at the Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka was shut at 2:00pm, citing security situation.
The announcement came as people under the banner of July Oikya planned to lay siege to the Indian High Commission, demanding repatriation of Hasina and her aides who fled to India. Police intercepted the march at Rampura.