The Ministry of External Affairs today summoned Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner to India Nural Islam to discuss the rising tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka. On Sunday, the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Prannoy Verma following allegations that India was attempting to erect fencing at five specific locations along the 4,156-km-long India-Bangladesh border.
These actions were said to be a violation of the bilateral agreement governing border activities.
Mr Verma reached the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Dhaka at around 3 pm local time. His meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin lasted for about 45 minutes, according to the state-run Bangladesh Sangabad Sangathan (BSS) news agency.
There is an agreement between Dhaka and New Delhi regarding fencing of the border for security. Our two border guarding forces – BSF and BGB (Border Security Force and Border Guarding Bangladesh) – are in communication in this regard. We hope that this understanding will be implemented and there will be a collaborative approach to deal with crimes on the border,” Mr Verma said.
Diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh have been historically stable. But relations between the two countries became strained after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took refuge in India after the student-led revolution toppled her government.
Last month, the interim Bangladesh government led by Muhammad Yunus had requested India to deport Ms Hasina to face trial.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded by saying that the request had been received. A ministry spokesperson said, “We confirm that we have received a verbal note from the Bangladesh High Commission today regarding the extradition request.” “At this time, we have no comment to give on this matter,” he said.
Dhaka has already issued an arrest warrant for Ms Hasina, who was due to appear in court in November 2024 to face charges of “genocide, murder and crimes against humanity”.
Since the fall of her regime, several of Sheikh Hasina’s associates – accused of involvement in the police crackdown that left hundreds dead during the unrest – have been detained.
Last November, Bangladesh said it would also request a “red notice” alert from Interpol for fugitive leaders of its regime.
India is a member of Interpol, but the red notice does not mean New Delhi should hand over Hasina as each country applies its own laws on whether an arrest should be made.
