Delhi Summons Bangladesh High Commissioner Following Dhaka’s Protest

In a continuing cycle of diplomatic friction, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner M. Riaz Hamidullah to New Delhi on Tuesday (December 23).

The move came just hours after Dhaka summoned the Indian envoy to protest recent security breaches at its diplomatic missions in India.

This marks the fourth time in 10 days that the two neighboring nations have summoned each other’s top diplomats to register formal protests and concerns.

Escalating Tensions over Mission Security

The day’s diplomatic maneuvers began in Dhaka, where the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma. During the meeting, Bangladesh expressed "deep concern" over several recent incidents in India:

Protests in New Delhi: Demonstrations and alleged threats issued outside the Bangladesh High Commission and the High Commissioner's residence on December 20.

Vandalism in Siliguri: An attack on the Bangladesh Visa Center in Siliguri on December 22, reportedly carried out by members of several Hindutva organizations.

Delhi’s "Tea Invitation" Counter-Summons

In a swift response, the Indian MEA summoned High Commissioner Hamidullah later that afternoon under the guise of an "invitation for tea."

Diplomatic sources reveal that B. Shyam, Joint Secretary at the MEA, told the Bangladeshi envoy that Dhaka has recently been reacting to various issues in an "unreasonable and irrelevant" manner.

High Commissioner Hamidullah reportedly refuted these allegations during the meeting, maintaining that Bangladesh’s positions are based strictly on "ground realities" and factual developments.

Context of the Strained Ties

Relations between the two countries have remained sensitive since the political transition in Bangladesh last August. The frequent summoning of diplomats highlights a period of significant mistrust, with both nations trading accusations regarding the safety of diplomatic personnel and the treatment of minorities.