M. Riaz Hamidullah, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, held discussions with the interim government’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Md Touhid Hossain, and National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka. The meeting took place at the Foreign Advisor’s office within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following the meeting, National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman mentioned that they frequently summon the high commissioner for discussions on various issues.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain declined to comment on the meeting as he left the ministry, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune. Hamidullah was urgently called back to Dhaka by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs amidst escalating tensions in bilateral relations. According to diplomatic sources, the High Commissioner was required to provide a detailed assessment of the current situation in India and discuss recent developments in bilateral ties.
Tensions between Bangladesh and India have heightened due to increasing attacks on Hindu minorities and recent incidents targeting Indian diplomatic missions in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. India has expressed deep concern over the violence against religious minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists, in Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson in New Delhi condemned the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and emphasized the need for justice for the perpetrators.
India has criticized the ongoing hostility towards minorities in Bangladesh and rejected the anti-India narrative being propagated in the country. The responsibility of maintaining law and order and ensuring security lies with the Yunus-led interim government, as reiterated by Indian officials. Earlier in December, the MEA summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Hamidullah to convey India’s strong concerns regarding the deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh.
