Hours after closing consular office in Tripura, Bangladesh summons Indian envoy in Dhaka

Tensions between both countries are rising amid Hindu persecution in Bangladesh.

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma arrived at the Foreign Ministry Office in Dhaka at 4 pm local time.

"The Indian High Commissioner has been summoned by acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah," Bangladesh's state-run news agency said.

Earlier, a notice from the Bangladesh High Commissioner's office in Tripura stated: "Given the security situation, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala will remain suspended until further notice."

It also said that "This comes into effect immediately".

Hundreds of people took out a massive rally on Tuesday around the Bangladeshi mission in Tripura's capital in protest against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh.

The protest also saw voices raised against the spate of attacks on minorities in the neighbouring country.

During the protest, over 50 agitators allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, leading to panic among the officials and staff at the complex.
 

"The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the incident.

The Bangladesh interim government in a post on X said it "deeply resents the violent attack into the Assistant High Commission in Agartala this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of the Bangladesh flag."

India, meanwhile, said the interim government in Bangladesh must shoulder its responsibility of protecting all minorities while expressing serious concern over the "surge" of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus.

Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested for alleged sedition, should be dealt with in a just, fair, and transparent manner, India stated.

Ties between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus came to power in August following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.