Bangladesh Summons Indian Envoy For Second Time In Ten Days Amid Security Concerns At Missions

Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned India’s High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, for the second time in ten days, amid rising diplomatic tension over the security of Bangladeshi missions in India.

According to the local media reports, Foreign Secretary AsadAlam Siam called in High Commissioner Verma at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs around 10 am to convey Dhaka’s concerns regarding recent protests and disruptions outside Bangladeshi diplomatic establishments. Verma arrived at the ministry shortly before the scheduled time and met the foreign secretary briefly.

But the meeting lasted only a few minutes, during which Bangladesh stressed the need for stronger security arrangements to ensure the safety of its diplomats, staff and consular operations in India. This is the second time High Commissioner Verma has been summoned over the issue this month. On December 14, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry had also called him in to raise similar concerns.

Protests Trigger Diplomatic Concern

The summons comes against the backdrop of demonstrations held outside Bangladeshi missions in India in recent days. Protesters, including members of political and civil society groups, gathered outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, alleging attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and demanding accountability.

Citing “unavoidable circumstances” and security concerns, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has temporarily suspended all consular and visa services until further notice. Visa services have also been halted at the Assistant High Commission in Agartala, while operations in Siliguri remain disrupted.

But India has already rejected suggestions that Bangladeshi missions faced serious security threats. Responding to media queries earlier, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described reports of a security breach as “misleading propaganda”. He stated that the gathering outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi involved a small number of people, was peaceful in nature, and posed no danger to the mission or its staff. According to the MEA, Delhi Police dispersed the group within minutes, and there was no attempt to breach the premises.

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Strained India-Bangladesh Ties

Relations between India and Bangladesh have witnessed a strain in recent weeks, largely linked to unrest in Bangladesh following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi and the subsequent protests across the country. The situation has been further complicated by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after leaving Bangladesh.

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Both sides have exchanged sharp statements over protests, minority safety, and diplomatic security, even as officials remain in contact to prevent further escalation. With visa services suspended and protests continuing, the episode marks another flashpoint in an already tense phase of India-Bangladesh relations.