What triggered India’s summons to Bangladesh envoy? Threats to embassy, ‘Seven Sisters’ remarks | Explained
India rejected the alleged "false narratives" being propagated by extremist elements regarding recent events in Bangladesh. The Ministry also stated that it is unfortunate that the interim government of Bangladesh has neither conducted a thorough investigation into these incidents nor shared any concrete evidence with India.
New Delhi: India summoned Bangladesh's High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, on Wednesday to lodge a formal diplomatic protest over recent threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and provocative remarks against New Delhi by Bangladeshi political leaders.
The Bangladeshi envoy was summoned amid rising anti-India rhetoric in poll-bound Bangladesh, whose ties with India nosedived following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government last year.
Security threats to Indian mission in Bangladesh
The Ministry of External Affairs conveyed its serious concerns to the High Commissioner regarding the deteriorating security environment of the Indian mission in Bangladesh. Particular attention was drawn to the activities of extremist elements who have threatened to disrupt the security situation around the Indian Embassy in Dhaka, the minister said in a statement.
India clearly expressed its expectation that the interim government of Bangladesh will ensure the security of all foreign missions and embassies located there, in accordance with its international diplomatic obligations.
The Ministry further rejected the alleged "false narratives" being propagated by extremist elements regarding recent events in Bangladesh. The Ministry also stated that it is unfortunate that the interim government of Bangladesh has neither conducted a thorough investigation into these incidents nor shared any concrete evidence with India.
'India has close ties with people of Bangladesh'
The Ministry reiterated that the relations between the people of India and Bangladesh are historically rooted in Bangladesh's liberation struggle and have been further strengthened over the years through development cooperation and people-to-people contacts. It further said that India supports peace and stability in Bangladesh and always advocated for free and fair elections.
"India has close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh rooted in the liberation struggle, and strengthened through various developmental and people-to-people initiatives. We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and conducted in a peaceful atmosphere," the MEA statement read.
Bangladesh leader's Seven Sisters remarks triggered summons?
The summons also comes against the backdrop of anti-India remarks made by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah. The Bangladesh leader threatened to isolate the "seven sisters"-- a term widely used for India's northeastern states-- from the country. He threatened that Dhaka would shelter forces hostile to Delhi and separate seven sisters --Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura-- from India.
"We will shelter separatist and anti-India forces and then we will sever the seven sisters from India," Abdullah said while addressing a gathering. He also warned that if India provides shelter to forces that do not "respect Bangladesh’s sovereignty, potential, voting rights, and human rights", his country will respond.