Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urgently summoned its senior diplomats posted in Kolkata and Agartala to Dhaka for consultations, as tensions between the two neighbors escalate over recent incidents involving Bangladeshi missions in India. According to sources within the Foreign Ministry and the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, the decision was taken following security concerns and the need for strategic discussions on the evolving situation.

Shikdar Md. Ashraful Rahman, Bangladesh’s Acting Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, returned to Dhaka on Thursday, while Arifur Rahman, Assistant High Commissioner in Tripura, is also on his way back. Both officials were directed to return on Tuesday, reflecting the urgency of the matter.

The current tensions stem from a series of protests and attacks in India, following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of ISKCON, in a sedition case in Bangladesh. Indian media outlets have been accused of spreading misinformation about the case, which has sparked outrage among hardline Hindu nationalist groups in various parts of India. These groups have organized protests targeting Bangladeshi diplomatic missions.

One of the most alarming incidents occurred on December 2, when members of a Hindu nationalist organization attacked the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Tripura. Protesters stormed the premises, bringing down and vandalizing the Bangladeshi national flag. They also destroyed signage outside the mission and set it on fire. Meanwhile, similar demonstrations took place outside the Bangladeshi High Commission in Mumbai and the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, heightening concerns over the safety of diplomatic personnel and facilities.

In response to the attack in Agartala, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the indefinite suspension of consular services at the Assistant High Commission, citing security concerns. This marks a significant disruption in the diplomatic operations of the mission, which primarily serves Bangladeshi nationals and facilitates bilateral engagements in the region.

The summoning of diplomats from Kolkata and Agartala underscores Dhaka’s serious concern over the deteriorating security situation and the implications for bilateral relations. Both nations have traditionally shared strong cultural and historical ties, but incidents like these threaten to undermine mutual trust.

The Foreign Ministry is expected to engage in high-level discussions with the returning diplomats to assess the situation and determine the next course of action. Diplomatic observers note that the current tensions require careful handling to avoid further deterioration in relations between the two neighboring countries.

While no official statement has been issued by the Indian government regarding the incidents, the situation has highlighted the challenges faced by diplomatic missions operating under heightened political and communal tensions. Both sides will likely need to address these issues to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of their respective diplomatic personnel and missions.