Bangladesh recalls envoy from India amid diplomatic reshuffle

Bangladesh’s interim government has recalled several envoys, including its High Commissioner to India, as part of a significant reshuffle in its diplomatic service.

This move marks the second phase of changes initiated by the administration, which also involves adjustments in domestic governance.

An official source confirmed on Thursday that High Commissioner Mustafizur Rahman, along with diplomats stationed in Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, and the UN Mission in New York, has been asked to return to Dhaka immediately.

The decision comes as the interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser, reorganizes the country's diplomatic and administrative structure following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime on August 5. The shake-up followed a large-scale student-led uprising, which installed Yunus' interim administration on August 8.

In an earlier reshuffle in late August, Bangladesh recalled its ambassadors from key postings, including the United States, Russia, Germany, Japan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, along with the High Commissioner to the Maldives. These diplomats were largely appointees of the ousted government, many of whom were retired or serving civil and military officials.

The foreign ministry has not yet made any new appointments for these positions.

Domestically, the interim administration has taken strong action, terminating the contracts of several senior bureaucrats and sacking high-ranking police officers. Among those dismissed were Home Ministry Secretary Jahangir Alam and Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, both of whom were arrested in connection with their involvement in violent crackdowns on anti-government protests.

These protests, which demanded changes to the quota system for government jobs, erupted in July and August, resulting in the deaths of nearly 1,000 people.