India summons Bangladesh envoy over threats to Indian mission, anti-India remarks

India has taken up security concerns with Bangladesh following anti-India rhetoric and threats to its High Commission in Dhaka

PGurus Newsdesk

December 17, 2025

Seven Sisters threat sparks diplomatic protest by India

India flags security risks amid radical rhetoric in Bangladesh

India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to lodge a formal diplomatic protest over growing security threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and a surge in provocative, anti-India rhetoric by Bangladeshi political leaders.

The move comes after a senior leader of Bangladesh’s student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) openly threatened that Dhaka could harbour forces hostile to India and help “separate the Seven Sisters from India”—a reference to India’s northeastern states.

The inflammatory remarks were made by NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah during a protest rally organised by Inqilab Mancha, even as Bangladesh marked its 55th Victory Day earlier this week.

“Seven Sisters will be separated from India,” Abdullah declared at the rally, repeating unsubstantiated claims that those accused in the recent attack on another student leader, Osman Hadi, were being backed by India.

India has firmly rejected the allegations. The Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi expects Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure internal law and order, including providing a secure environment for peaceful elections and safeguarding diplomatic missions.

The escalation comes amid deep political flux in Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with critics warning of the growing influence of radical Islamist elements, systematic attempts to erase the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War, and a visible strategic drift away from India towards Pakistan—the very country responsible for mass atrocities during Bangladesh’s freedom struggle.

Indian officials have noted that anti-India statements have increasingly emanated from Bangladeshi political platforms, particularly targeting India’s northeastern region. These remarks were initially triggered by controversial comments from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, whose interim regime has been accused of emboldening radical factions.

On Wednesday, the Assam administration imposed prohibitory orders along the India–Bangladesh border in Cachar district, citing intelligence inputs and apprehensions over possible infiltration, extremist movement and cross-border attempts to disturb peace and stability.

The warnings from the NCP leader came even as Professor Muhammad Yunus laid a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar, paying tribute to martyrs of the Liberation War. The day also coincided with Vijay Diwas in India, commemorating India’s decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971 that led to the liberation of East Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh.

However, observers note a growing contradiction between ceremonial tributes and systematic efforts under the Yunus regime to downplay India’s role in Bangladesh’s creation, while promoting closer engagement with Pakistan.

Abdullah’s remarks were not isolated. In another statement, he warned India that Bangladesh would “respond” if destabilised, adding that unrest could spill beyond borders—language Indian officials view as reckless and inflammatory.

“If Bangladesh is destabilised, the fire of resistance will spread beyond borders,” Abdullah said, issuing a thinly veiled threat.

Critics argue that such rhetoric reflects a broader attempt by radical Islamist and pro-Pakistan elements to shift blame for Bangladesh’s internal turmoil onto India, while rehabilitating forces that had sided with Pakistan during the Liberation War.

Since the change in regime, attacks on minorities—including Hindus, Sufis and Ahmadiyyas—have reportedly increased, further raising concerns in New Delhi about the direction Bangladesh is taking.

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