India vows to stay friendly with Bangladesh amid diplomatic tensions

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, has assured that India will continue to maintain strong ties with Bangladesh, regardless of the current situation. 

He made this remark while speaking to reporters on Tuesday after being called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka to explain the recent attack on Bangladesh‍‍`s Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Tripura.

Verma stated, "No matter what happens, India remains committed to its friendship with Bangladesh. We believe that the bond of mutual cooperation between our countries will not be affected, and we are ready to work with the interim government. We will always remain as friends."

The Ministry summoned the Indian High Commissioner after a group of protesters attacked Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commission in Agartala on Monday. 

It was reported that the attackers damaged property and even set fire to the national flag of Bangladesh, marking an unprecedented diplomatic incident between the two nations.

Tensions between India and Bangladesh have been rising since the removal of the Awami League government in August, following mass protests led by students. 

After the fall of the government, Sheikh Hasina, the party’s leader and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been residing in New Delhi.

These tensions escalated further after the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson for the Indian group Sanatani Jagaran Manch. Several organizations in India have staged protests in solidarity with Bangladesh’s Hindu minority.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the Agartala attack, criticizing the lack of adequate response from Indian law enforcement. 

Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has expressed regret over the incident and announced that security has been increased at all Bangladeshi diplomatic missions across India.

According to NDTV, in response to the incident, the Tripura government has suspended three police officers and transferred a senior officer.

Additionally, seven individuals involved in the attack have been detained.