India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, over concerns about the “deteriorating security environment” in Bangladesh.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that envoys' attention was drawn to "activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka".
The summons was made just a day after Bangladesh’s senior NCP leader, Hasnat Abdullah, made comments threatening the Seven Sister states in the northeast.
Abdullah's comments have been deemed “anti-India” and separatist.
He had threatened that Dhaka would shelter forces hostile to Delhi and help sever India's "seven sisters" during a protest rally organised by Inqilab Mancha. Four of the seven sister states share a border with Bangladesh, making the area highly sensitive to cross-border security issues.
Abdullah comments on the Northeastern states' geographical connection through the Siliguri corridor, which has been termed a ‘chicken's neck’, has been met with serious concerns for security and further political tensions between the countries. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the NCP leader’s comments “irresponsible and dangerous,” asserting that India would not tolerate such hostile posturing.
The Foreign Ministry said Hamidullah was appraised of India's strong concerns about the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh.
"His attention was drawn, in particular, to the activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka," the Ministry said in a statement.
Apart from the NCP leader’s comments, a radical group in Dhaka had also announced a “march to the indian High Commission” on Wednesday afternoon in protest against the alleged Indian interference in Bangladesh politics.
On Monday, the Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma was summoned to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry in Dhaka on Monday to be given a message over the sheltering of ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
