Dhaka, 30 December (H.S.):
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Reaz Hamidullah arrived in Dhaka late Monday night following an urgent summons from the Foreign Ministry, prompted by escalating strains in bilateral relations with New Delhi. Prothom Alo, citing a senior unnamed official, reported the recall as a direct response to recent diplomatic frictions, including mutual envoy summonses and protests targeting each other's missions.
Hamidullah, a seasoned diplomat previously serving as Bangladesh Bank governor, landed to engage in high-level consultations on salvaging ties battered since Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August.
Tit-for-Tat Summons Over Mission Security Threats
Tensions peaked last week when India summoned Hamidullah twice—on December 17 and 22—voicing strong concerns over extremist threats to its High Commission in Dhaka, including plans by National Citizen Party elements to besiege the facility after activist Abdul Matin Chowdhury's killing, blamed on Indian involvement without evidence.
Bangladesh retaliated by summoning Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma over alleged vandalism at its New Delhi High Commission on December 20 and Siliguri visa center on December 22, amid anti-India protests following anti-India activist Sharif Osman Hadi's shooting death. Dhaka suspended consular services in New Delhi on December 22 citing unforeseen circumstances and envoy family safety fears.
Post-Hasina Fallout Fuels Extremist Narratives
Relations, once robust under Hasina's pro-India stance, have soured under Muhammad Yunus's interim regime amid 281 political violence deaths, anti-Hindu attacks, and radical demands to revoke Indian work permits. India rejects Dhaka's anti-Bangladesh activities claims as misplaced, urging thorough probes into incidents like Hadi's murder, while Russia advises recalling 1971 solidarity to de-escalate.
Exiled Hasina accuses Yunus of manufacturing hostility, complicating pre-election dynamics as Pakistan courts Dhaka hardliners.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
