Bangladesh Summons Indian High Commissioner Over Security Breach At Agartala Office, Suspends Consular Services

On Tuesday (3 December), Bangladesh suspended visa and consular services at its Assistant High Commission in Agartala, following an incident where a mob breached the mission’s security barricades.

In response, Indian authorities arrested seven individuals and suspended three police officers connected to the event. India’s Ministry of External Affairs termed the incident "deeply regrettable."

“Given the security situation, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala, will remain suspended until further notice. This comes into effect immediately,” stated Md Al-Ameen, the first secretary to the Bangladesh mission.

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma was summoned by Bangladesh’s Acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah in Dhaka. He emphasised the broader context of bilateral ties.

“We have a wide-ranging and multifaceted relationship,” Verma said, as reported by The Daily Star. He further noted that the relationship “could not be reduced to just one issue” and highlighted India's intention to strengthen interdependencies for mutual benefit.

The meeting occurred a day after Bangladesh’s foreign ministry summoned Verma to address the Agartala incident. According to state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Verma arrived at the foreign ministry at 4 pm, where he was summoned by Acting Foreign Secretary Reaz Hamidullah.

Separately, Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul criticised the Agartala incident, calling it a “failure” of the Indian government. In a Facebook post, Nazrul remarked, “India must realise that this is not Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh.” Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain briefly commented on Verma’s visit, stating, “He (Verma) has been asked to come.”

Tensions have been escalating between the two neighbors since 5 August, when deposed Prime Minister Hasina fled to India. The arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das last week and subsequent attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh have further strained relations.

On Monday, protests erupted in Agartala, with thousands demonstrating near the Bangladeshi mission against the monk's arrest and alleged violence targeting Hindus in Bangladesh.