Bangladesh High Commissioner to India M. Riaz Hamidullah. File | Photo credit: PTI
Hours after a radical group in Dhaka announced a “march to the Indian High Commission” on Wednesday afternoon (December 17, 2025), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and reminded him of Dhaka’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of Indian missions and visa facilities in the neighboring country.
The march was to protest alleged Indian interference in Bangladeshi politics, radical group July Oikyo Mancho said earlier in the day.
“India completely rejects the false narrative that extremist elements have tried to create regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh. It is regrettable that the caretaker government has not conducted a thorough investigation or shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidents,” the MEA said after South Bloc diplomats met Mr. Hamidullah.
#WATCH | Delhi | Bangladesh High Commissioner leaves Ministry of External Affairs after meeting on security of Indian High Commission in Dhaka after threat received https://t.co/gn8ffQ1txbpic.twitter.com/kXNrBEw1zx
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2025
The radical group called for an Indian High Commission march from Rampura Bridge in the city at 3pm on Wednesday (December 17), demanding “The return of fascist Hasina and other murderers, Indian representative political parties and relentless conspiracy by government officials”.
Soon after the announcement, India’s visa processing facility in Dhaka announced that it would cease all operations on Wednesday, December 17 at 2 p.m.
“We expect the caretaker government to ensure the security of missions and posts in Bangladesh in line with its diplomatic commitments,” the MEA said.
The convocation came a day after both parties marked Vijay Diwas on December 16, even as anti-India comments by many student leaders did the rounds on social media.
“We will not tolerate if terrorism is exported from India. Our enemies will not be safe if our security is damaged,” said Mahfuj Alam, a student leader campaigning for the upcoming elections in Bangladesh.
Mr Alam was part of Bangladesh’s caretaker government until last week when he resigned when the election schedule was announced. In another inflammatory speech, Hasnat Abdullah, leader of the National Civic Party, described India as an enemy country and threatened to “separate” northeast India from the rest of the country.
Statements made at public rallies and on social media platforms further heightened tensions, culminating in the assassination of right-wing student leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 12, 2025.
Hours after the incident, which left Mr. Hadi on life support, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry accused Sheikh Hasina and its Awami League leaders of launching the “terrorist” attacks and asked India to prevent Mr. Hadi’s attackers from fleeing Bangladesh. India immediately raised a strong objection.
“India enjoys close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh, rooted in the liberation struggle and strengthened through various development and people-to-people initiatives,” the MEA said on Wednesday (Dec 16).
Published – 17 Dec 2025 14:12 IST
