Bangladesh High Commissioner Returns to Dhaka as India Ties Face Strain

Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, M Reaz Hamidullah, returned to Dhaka late Monday night after receiving what officials described as an urgent call from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours continue to rise.

Reports said the sudden recall comes amid a series of security-related incidents, protests and diplomatic exchanges that have strained India-Bangladesh relations in recent days.

Urgent recall amid strained bilateral ties

"In view of the recent situation in bilateral ties with India, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi M. Reaz Hamidullah was called to Dhaka on an urgent basis," Bangladesh's leading daily Prothom Alo reported.

Quoting an unnamed "responsible source" in the foreign office, PTI said Hamidullah reached Dhaka on Monday night following the summons. "He has been summoned to Dhaka for discussions on the recent situation of bilateral relations," the source said.

The development follows a period of heightened diplomatic engagement between the two sides, triggered by concerns over security and public protests targeting diplomatic premises.

India raises security concerns in Dhaka

Earlier this week, India had summoned Hamidullah to New Delhi over security issues related to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. The move came after reports suggested extremist elements were planning demonstrations outside the Indian mission.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said it "completely rejects the false narrative" being spread by such groups about recent events in Bangladesh. The ministry also urged Bangladesh's interim administration to provide credible evidence regarding the incidents being cited.

Dhaka flags attacks on its missions in India

Bangladesh, meanwhile, expressed "grave concern" over incidents involving its diplomatic facilities in India. These included vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22 and protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20.

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey Dhaka's concerns, stating that such actions "not only endanger the safety of diplomatic personnel but also undermine the principles of mutual respect and values of peace and tolerance."

The Bangladeshi government also urged Indian authorities to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure adequate security for its diplomatic missions.

Domestic unrest adds to diplomatic strain

The backdrop to the diplomatic tension includes recent unrest within Bangladesh, notably the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi and the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh.

Das, a 27-year-old man, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy on December 18, after which his body was set on fire. The incident triggered widespread outrage across the country.

Education Adviser Professor CR Abrar, who visited the victim's family on Tuesday, condemned the killing as a "heinous criminal act with no justification and no place in Bangladeshi society." He reaffirmed the interim government's commitment to the rule of law and assured the family that justice would be delivered.

Authorities have arrested 12 people in connection with the killing, and investigations remain ongoing.

Against this backdrop of diplomatic and domestic tensions, Bangladesh has temporarily suspended visa and consular services at Indian missions in New Delhi, Siliguri and Agartala, citing security concerns.