- devara
- 03 Dec 2024 10:47 AM
- Bangladesh India relations, Tripura visa closure, Hindu violence Bangladesh, diplomatic tensions
Bangladesh summoned India's High Commissioner to Dhaka after the closure of its visa and consular services in Tripura, India, due to a security incident involving a protest in Agartala. The protest, which occurred against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, led to about 50 people entering the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission's premises. The Bangladeshi government expressed concerns over the lack of local police action to contain the situation, which left mission staff feeling unsafe. In response, Bangladesh called on India to take immediate measures to prevent such incidents.
In reaction to the closure of consular services, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs called the incident "deeply regrettable" and reaffirmed that diplomatic properties should never be targeted. The Indian government promised to enhance security arrangements for Bangladesh's missions across the country.
Following the incident, the Indian High Commissioner, Pranay Verma, addressed the tensions, emphasizing the importance of the broader, multi-faceted relationship between the two countries. He reiterated India's commitment to building positive ties with Bangladesh, focusing on mutual benefits such as trade, power transmission, and the supply of essential commodities. Verma also expressed India's desire to continue cooperation with Bangladesh's interim government, especially regarding shared goals of peace, security, and development. At the same time, India raised concerns about the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, including the arrest of priests and attacks on the Hindu community.