ছবি: Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma.
India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, has reiterated his country’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Bangladesh and working collaboratively with its interim government. This statement followed an incident in Agartala, the capital of India’s Tripura state, where the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission was attacked.
On December 3, High Commissioner Verma was summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka following the incident. The meeting, held at the office of Acting Foreign Secretary M. Riaz Hamidullah, lasted about 30 minutes. During the discussions, the Bangladeshi side strongly condemned the attack, which involved vandalism, desecration of the Bangladeshi flag, and assaults on mission staff. Bangladesh called for a thorough investigation and demanded assurances for the safety and security of its diplomatic personnel and premises in India.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Verma expressed India’s willingness to collaborate with Bangladesh’s interim government, emphasizing the broader, multifaceted nature of bilateral relations. “We remain committed to maintaining friendly relations and enhancing connections between the people of our two nations,” he remarked.
Verma also assured that the Agartala attack would not define the relationship between the two neighbors, stressing the shared history, culture, and cooperation that underpin their partnership.
The incident occurred on December 2, when members of a radical Hindu nationalist group stormed the Bangladesh mission in Agartala. They vandalized the premises, removed and tore the Bangladeshi national flag, and attacked staff members. Bangladesh’s official statement later described the incident as premeditated and criticized the apparent inaction of local law enforcement during the attack.
Bangladesh further linked the Agartala attack to a similar protest incident at its Kolkata mission on November 28, emphasizing the need for India to ensure the protection of its diplomatic facilities. The statement underscored that law enforcement personnel at the mission’s gates appeared unresponsive to the escalating violence.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack, labeling it as “regrettable” and reaffirming its commitment to protecting diplomatic and consular missions. The ministry asserted that such actions against diplomatic properties are unacceptable under any circumstances. Authorities in Tripura have arrested seven individuals in connection with the incident, while administrative measures have been taken against four police officers for alleged negligence.
The attack has drawn sharp reactions from Dhaka, with demands for accountability and immediate action to prevent future incidents. Bangladesh’s government urged India to uphold international protocols for the safety of diplomatic missions and called for a complete investigation to identify and penalize those responsible for the violence.
Despite the tensions, both countries have expressed a desire to prevent the incident from straining their historically close ties. Bangladesh and India share deep economic, cultural, and strategic bonds, and both governments have emphasized the importance of cooperation to address challenges and foster regional peace and stability.
Verma concluded by reaffirming India’s interest in strengthening bilateral relations, highlighting ongoing efforts to expand people-to-people connections and cross-border collaborations.
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