“India Rejects Threats to Its Sovereignty”: MEA Summons Bangladesh Envoy
New Delhi lodges strong protest over threats to Indian mission, remarks on Northeast
- Bangladesh High Commissioner summoned over security threats to Indian High Commission
- India flags extremist rhetoric and anti-India statements by Bangladeshi leaders
- MEA stresses safety of diplomatic missions and need for law and order
- Prohibitory orders imposed along Assam border amid security concerns
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Dec: India on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to lodge a strong diplomatic protest over recent threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and a series of inflammatory anti-India statements by Bangladeshi political leaders.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the envoy was apprised of India’s serious concerns over 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.
The move follows provocative remarks by a student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) leader, Hasnat Abdullah, who claimed at a protest rally that Bangladesh would shelter forces hostile to India and help separate India’s northeastern states, commonly referred to as the “Seven Sisters.” India has categorically rejected these statements, terming them baseless and irresponsible.
The MEA said it “completely rejects the false narrative” being pushed by extremist elements regarding recent developments in Bangladesh. It also expressed disappointment that the interim government in Dhaka has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared credible evidence with India concerning the incidents cited by these groups.
Reiterating New Delhi’s position, the ministry said India shares close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh, rooted in the 1971 Liberation War and strengthened through development cooperation and people-to-people ties. “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,” the statement said, adding that India expects the interim government to ensure the safety of all diplomatic missions in line with international obligations.
India has also dismissed allegations that it is backing individuals involved in violence in Bangladesh, asserting that Dhaka must take all necessary steps to maintain internal law and order and facilitate peaceful elections.
Meanwhile, amid heightened security concerns, prohibitory orders have been imposed along the India–Bangladesh border in Assam’s Cachar district. Authorities said preventive restrictions were enforced to curb unauthorised cross-border movement and to prevent attempts by extremist elements to disturb peace and stability in sensitive border areas.
