Summary:
- India summons Bangladesh’s acting high commissioner, protesting “persistent negative portrayals” linking New Delhi to Dhaka’s internal governance challenges
- MEA clarifies Sheikh Hasina’s inflammatory remarks were personal views, stressing India seeks “mutually beneficial relations” without interference
- Bangladesh interim government blames India for allowing Hasina’s “provocative statements” that triggered nationwide vandalism targeting Awami League properties
- Diplomatic tensions escalate as Dhaka reveals unacknowledged arrest warrant for Hasina and note verbale sent to India regarding cross-border political activities
India has summoned Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner to express concerns over what it describes as persistent negative portrayals by Bangladeshi authorities, escalating diplomatic tensions between the neighboring nations. The development follows recent inflammatory remarks by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made from Indian territory and subsequent vandalism targeting Awami League-linked properties in Bangladesh.
India’s diplomatic démarche
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned diplomat Md Nural Islam to South Block on Friday evening, asserting that “regular statements by Bangladesh authorities continue to portray India negatively, holding us responsible for internal governance issues.” Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India seeks “a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship” but warned that conflating Hasina’s personal comments with official Indian positions “is not going to help add positivity to bilateral relations.”
Vandalism and accountability claims
The diplomatic friction intensified after nationwide attacks on Awami League establishments following Hasina’s virtual address to party activists from India. Bangladesh’s interim government directly implicated New Delhi, with Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad stating “India shares responsibility for recent acts of vandalism” including damage to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic Dhanmondi residence. Authorities claim Hasina’s “provocative statements against the July uprising from India created deep anger in the public mind.”
Legal dimensions and diplomatic silence
The interim administration revealed an outstanding International Crimes Tribunal arrest warrant for Hasina related to genocide charges, coupled with an unacknowledged note verbale sent to India seeking cooperation. Azad noted “this lack of reaction has fuelled instability due to Hasina’s statements from there [India],” escalating criticism of New Delhi’s perceived inaction.
Bilateral relations at crossroads
While India maintains Hasina’s remarks represent personal views, Bangladesh’s caretaker government continues to hold New Delhi partially accountable for the political fallout. The MEA’s statement urging Dhaka to “reciprocate similarly without vitiating the atmosphere” underscores growing concerns about the relationship’s trajectory, particularly regarding cross-border political activities and their domestic consequences.
