India-Bangladesh ties plunge, New Delhi to withdraw diplomats’ families over security concerns
Last month, India had summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the country. This was after demonstrations took place near the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus.
India has decided to withdraw the families of all its diplomats posted in Bangladesh due to the security situation in the neighboring country, Hindustan Times reported on Tuesday, citing sources. However, this will not affect the number of diplomats or the functioning of the Indian High Commission and Deputy High Commissions in Bangladesh. The move comes amid tensions between neighbors over the security situation in Bangladesh and the treatment of minorities in the Muslim-majority country.
Last month, India had summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the country. This was after demonstrations took place near the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Tensions flared in Bangladesh following the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi in December. Many leaders in Bangladesh tried to link the killing to India, as the protests carried anti-India overtones. In response, the Indian government harshly criticized the “false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements” in Bangladesh.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated further due to a series of attacks on people from minority communities, especially Hindus. Days after Hadi’s murder, a Hindu factory worker was beaten to death and his body set on fire by a mob over allegations that he had insulted Islam; This incident was widely condemned. Other similar incidents have occurred across the country in recent weeks. According to official data released by the interim government of Bangladesh, there has been an increase in violence against minorities, with 645 such cases last year. The developments come just weeks before Bangladesh is due to hold its first parliamentary elections since the ouster of former prime minister Sheikha Hasina. Elections are expected to be held next month.
