Bangladesh–India ties slide sharply as envoys summoned, visa services suspended after protests
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Diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh deteriorated further on Tuesday after Dhaka summoned India’s top envoy and suspended visa services, amid escalating protests in New Delhi over the lynching of a Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh called in Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey its “grave concern” over demonstrations outside its high commission and visa centres, as hundreds of protesters gathered near the mission in the Indian capital, waving saffron flags and banners reading “Stop Killing Hindus in Bangladesh”.
The protests were triggered by the December 18 mob lynching of a Hindu worker in Dhaka, who was accused of blasphemy. Bangladeshi authorities have arrested seven suspects in connection with the killing, which has intensified anti-India sentiment in the majority-Muslim country.
Members of the right-wing Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) participated in the protest, with clashes reported between demonstrators and security personnel as crowds pushed against barricades about 300 metres from the high commission. “Hindus are warning Bangladesh that it is taking the wrong approach,” said Puneet Gautam, a VHP member present at the protest.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry cited “regrettable incidents” and alleged vandalism outside its visa centres in New Delhi and Siliguri last week. India has rejected reports of vandalism, calling them “misleading propaganda”.
Relations between the two neighbours have remained strained since former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a pro-democracy uprising last year and later took refuge in India. Dhaka has sought her extradition after she was sentenced to death in absentia for her role in a violent crackdown on protesters—requests that India says are still under consideration.
Political instability has continued to grip Bangladesh ahead of elections scheduled for next year. This month, parliamentary aspirant and outspoken India critic Sharif Osman Hadi was shot by masked attackers in Dhaka, with unconfirmed reports suggesting the assailants may have fled to India.
The shooting sparked violent protests in Bangladesh, with arson attacks on buildings, including two newspapers perceived as pro-India and a major cultural institution. Mobs also hurled stones at the Indian High Commission in Chattogram, prompting India to suspend visa services there. Dhaka followed by temporarily suspending visa services in Delhi on Monday.
Russia has urged both countries to de-escalate tensions. “The sooner this happens, the better,” Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander G. Khozin was quoted as saying in the *Dhaka Tribune*.