Dhaka Assures New Delhi On Asset Safety As Bangladesh Slides Deeper Into Unrest
Bangladeshi Army and police personnel stand guard on a street in Dhaka at dusk, as smoke rises from burnt vehicles following unrest, with security forces maintaining order amid heightened tensions: AI-generated image via DALL-E
The army chiefs of India and Bangladesh are in direct communication amid escalating unrest in Bangladesh, with Dhaka assuring New Delhi that Indian assets in the country remain secure.
The engagement comes as Bangladesh witnesses widespread violence following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, an anti-India radical leader, amid an already fragile political situation in the country.
What assurance has Bangladesh given India?
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has assured his Indian counterpart that all Indian assets in Bangladesh are safe, underlining Dhaka’s commitment to maintaining security despite the deteriorating law-and-order situation.
The assurance was conveyed as part of ongoing communication between the two army chiefs to ensure stability on the ground.
What has triggered the latest unrest in Bangladesh?
The unrest intensified after Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure linked to the July uprising, died at a hospital in Singapore. He had been shot by masked gunmen in Dhaka a week earlier.
Following his death, large-scale violence and arson were reported across parts of Bangladesh. The offices of leading dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were set on fire, while the office of left-leaning cultural organisation Udichi Shilpigoshthi in Dhaka was also vandalised.
How have India–Bangladesh relations been affected?
Relations between India and Bangladesh have come under strain since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus assumed office in Dhaka. New Delhi has raised concerns over attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, amid the unrest.
India recently summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to lodge a formal diplomatic protest over threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and inflammatory anti-India statements by Bangladeshi political leaders.
What has India’s position been on the situation?
The Ministry of External Affairs said India expects the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Indian missions and personnel, in line with its diplomatic obligations. New Delhi has reiterated that it supports peace and stability in Bangladesh.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry summoned India’s High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to convey concerns over what it described as “incendiary” statements made by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from Indian soil.
Responding to this, New Delhi stated that it has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to Bangladesh’s interests.
As unrest continues, communication between the two militaries remains a key channel for managing immediate security concerns and preventing further deterioration of the situation.
