Tit-For-Tat: India Summons Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Day After Dhaka's Move

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Nural Islam, the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, today to discuss the rising tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka.

On Sunday, the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs had called in Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, following allegations that India was attempting to construct fences at five specific locations along the 4,156-kilometre Indo-Bangladesh border.

These actions were said to breach a bilateral agreement regulating border activities.

Verma arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka around 3:00 pm local time, and his meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin lasted approximately 45 minutes, according to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency.

"Dhaka and New Delhi have understandings regarding fencing the border for security purposes. Our two border guard forces - the BSF and BGB (Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh) - have been in communication on this matter. We expect that this understanding will be followed, and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crimes along the border," Verma stated.

While India and Bangladesh have historically shared stable diplomatic relations, tensions have arisen in the past, particularly following the ousting of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her subsequent refuge in India, and the interim government of Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.