ASIATODAY.ID, DHAKA – India has withdrawn the families of its diplomats stationed in Bangladesh, just weeks ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, citing growing security concerns amid escalating political unrest.
Diplomatic sources told RT India on Wednesday that New Delhi has advised all dependents of Indian mission and post officials in Bangladesh to return home as a precautionary measure, while diplomatic operations remain fully functional.
“Given the prevailing security situation, dependents of mission and post officials have been advised to return to India. The High Commission and all Indian posts in Bangladesh continue to remain open and operational,” the sources said.
India maintains its High Commission in Dhaka, along with consulates in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet.
According to Indian media reports, Bangladesh has now been designated a “non-family posting”, a classification typically reserved for high-risk or unstable locations.
Political Fallout After Hasina’s Ouster
Relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have deteriorated since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, following weeks of mass unrest.
Hasina subsequently fled to India, deepening political and diplomatic tensions.
Some reports have accused a US-linked regime change agency of contributing to the unrest that led to Hasina’s removal—claims that remain highly contested.
In the aftermath, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammed Yunus assumed the role of chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. However, stability has remained elusive.
The assassination of a local political leader in December triggered renewed nationwide unrest, accompanied by reports of attacks on minority communities.
Elections Without the Awami League
Tensions have further escalated after the Awami League, which governed Bangladesh for 15 years under Hasina, was barred from participating in the upcoming elections—a move that has drawn widespread criticism and raised questions over electoral legitimacy.
In response to the volatile situation, both India and Bangladesh have reinforced security at diplomatic missions, as fears grow over potential violence in the run-up to polling day.
India’s decision to withdraw diplomats’ families is widely seen as a clear signal of heightened risk, underscoring broader concerns over Bangladesh’s political stability and its implications for regional security in South Asia. (RT)
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