Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to officially communicate Dhaka’s serious and growing concern over the safety and security of its diplomatic missions in India. The move followed a series of protests, vandalism and alleged acts of intimidation directed at Bangladeshi diplomatic facilities after the lynching of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh.
In an official statement, the ministry said the Indian envoy was informed of Bangladesh’s “grave concern” regarding incidents that occurred on December 20, 2025, outside the Bangladesh High Commission and the residence of the High Commissioner in New Delhi. Dhaka also raised objections to vandalism reported at its Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22, which it attributed to what it described as “different extremist elements.”
The statement added that Bangladesh had expressed deep unease over violent demonstrations staged near multiple Bangladeshi diplomatic missions across India, stressing that such actions posed risks to diplomatic staff and disrupted normal functioning of official premises.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam formally conveyed these concerns during the meeting with Pranay Verma, which was also attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of India.
Bangladesh strongly condemned what it described as deliberate acts of violence, vandalism and intimidation against diplomatic establishments. The ministry said such incidents undermine the principles of mutual respect, peace and tolerance, while also violating international norms governing the protection of diplomatic missions.
Dhaka urged the Government of India to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the incidents, take effective steps to prevent any recurrence, and ensure the safety, security and dignity of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions and associated facilities throughout India. It emphasised that India is obligated under international diplomatic conventions to guarantee the protection of foreign missions and personnel.
The summons came earlier in the day after a large protest by members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and other Hindu organisations, including the Bajrang Dal, outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. The demonstration followed public outrage over the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh.
Ahead of the protest, Indian authorities had significantly tightened security around the mission, deploying three layers of barricades and reinforcing the area with nearly 15,000 police and paramilitary personnel. Despite these measures, police struggled to control hundreds of protesters who breached barricades, raised slogans against the Bangladesh government, and displayed banners and placards carrying inflammatory messages.
Bangladesh subsequently condemned the protest and summoned the Indian High Commissioner to formally register its objections. Officials in Dhaka said such incidents not only threaten diplomatic safety but also strain bilateral relations.
This was the second time in the past ten days that Pranay Verma had been summoned by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the tenure of the interim government, he has reportedly been called in at least six times over various bilateral concerns. He was previously summoned on December 14.
Earlier, on December 17, India’s Ministry of External Affairs had summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner M. Riaz Hamidullah over security concerns surrounding the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. That meeting followed Bangladesh’s decision to suspend visa and consular services in New Delhi, Siliguri and Agartala, a suspension that Bangladeshi officials said would remain in place until further notice.
Bangladesh has also sought India’s cooperation in preventing suspects linked to the attack on Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi from fleeing into Indian territory. Dhaka urged that if any of the accused cross into India, they should be immediately detained and extradited to face legal proceedings in Bangladesh.
