ASIATODAY.ID, NEW DELHI – Relations between India and Bangladesh have plunged to their lowest point in years, as New Delhi summons Dhaka’s top envoy amid growing security concerns, a bitter extradition dispute, and escalating political turmoil ahead of Bangladesh’s national elections.
India on Wednesday formally summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, signaling a sharp escalation in the diplomatic standoff between the two South Asian neighbors.
The move follows mounting tensions over the presence of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India, allegations of inflammatory political statements, and rising security threats to Indian diplomatic missions in Bangladesh.
In a statement issued on December 17, 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it had conveyed “strong concerns” over the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh, particularly regarding threats posed by extremist elements.
“The High Commissioner was apprised of India’s serious concerns about activities by certain extremist groups who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka,” the ministry said.
New Delhi stressed that it expects Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian diplomatic personnel and facilities.
Street Protests and Diplomatic Flashpoints
Tensions intensified after Bangladeshi police blocked a protest march in Dhaka on Tuesday titled “March to the Indian High Commission.” The demonstration called for the repatriation of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following a mass uprising in 2024.
India also took issue with remarks made by a Bangladeshi political leader suggesting that Dhaka could provide shelter to groups hostile to Indian interests.
New Delhi firmly rejected the accusation, reiterating that it has never allowed its territory to be used for activities against Bangladesh.
Dhaka Pushes Back, India Responds
The latest diplomatic move comes days after Bangladesh summoned India’s High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, accusing New Delhi of allowing Sheikh Hasina to issue what it described as “incendiary” statements from Indian soil.
India dismissed the allegation, reiterating its longstanding support for free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections in Bangladesh, conducted in a peaceful environment.
“India has never permitted its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh,” the Indian Foreign Ministry said.
Extradition Demands and Death Sentences
At the heart of the dispute lies Bangladesh’s demand for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Both were recently sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi court in a crimes against humanity case, after being found guilty of ordering a violent crackdown on student-led protests in 2024.
Hasina, speaking in a recent interview, dismissed the verdict as a “foregone conclusion,” arguing that the judicial process was politically motivated.
Elections Amid Uncertainty
Bangladesh is scheduled to hold its next national elections on February 12, in a deeply polarized political climate. Hasina’s Awami League, which ruled the country for 15 years before being toppled, has been barred from participating in the vote.
The country is currently governed by an interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammad Yunus, serving as chief adviser. Despite international attention, concerns persist over political stability, judicial independence, and election credibility.
Strategic Relations at a Crossroads
The unfolding crisis has placed India–Bangladesh relations at a critical juncture, with issues of regional security, political sovereignty, extradition, and electoral legitimacy colliding ahead of 2026.
For India, stability in Bangladesh is a strategic priority tied to border security and regional influence. For Dhaka, the fate of Sheikh Hasina has become both a domestic flashpoint and a test of its diplomatic leverage with its most influential neighbor.
As South Asia watches closely, the dispute risks reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the region at a time of growing uncertainty and political realignment. (RT)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel