Bangladesh lodged a formal protest with India in response to recent comments made by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah regarding Bangladeshi nationals. During a political rally in Jharkhand, Shah made controversial remarks, accusing the state government of enabling the presence of Bangladeshi migrants, which he referred to as "infiltrators".
He also criticised opposition parties for relying on these groups as their vote banks and promised to take stringent actions against illegal immigrants. Jharkhand is set to hold assembly elections later this year, making the rally part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) broader campaign.
Shah’s comments were widely reported in Bangladeshi media, causing significant concern in Dhaka. The remarks echoed similar statements made by Shah in the past, notably in 2018 and 2019, when he labelled Bangladeshi migrants as "termites," sparking diplomatic tensions. While those earlier incidents drew strong reactions in Bangladesh, they did not result in an official protest. However, this latest speech prompted a more formal diplomatic response.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe to deliver a protest note. The note expressed Dhaka’s serious reservations, deep hurt, and displeasure over the comments.
It urged the Indian government to advise its political leaders to refrain from making statements that could harm bilateral relations. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry emphasised that such remarks from high-level officials undermine the spirit of mutual respect and understanding between the two countries.
Although India and Bangladesh share close ties, particularly in areas of trade and development, migration remains a sensitive issue. Dhaka has consistently denied claims that its nationals are illegally migrating into India in significant numbers.
The current protest marks a notable escalation in Bangladesh’s response to anti-migrant rhetoric from Indian political figures, suggesting a growing frustration with how such statements are affecting bilateral relations ahead of key political events.