ছবি: Photo: Collected
The Government of Bangladesh has announced the indefinite closure of its Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Tripura, citing security concerns. This decision was conveyed on Tuesday, December 3, through an official statement signed by Md. Al Amin, First Secretary and Head of Chancery of the mission.
According to the statement, all visa and consular services offered by the mission will remain suspended until further notice. The closure comes in the wake of a violent attack on December 2, when supporters of a Hindu nationalist group stormed the mission, vandalized property, and desecrated the Bangladeshi national flag. The attack has raised serious questions about the Indian authorities’ ability to ensure the safety of diplomatic premises.
In response to the incident, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon. During the meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, Bangladesh lodged a formal protest and handed over a note of diplomatic grievance. The protest emphasized the need for India to take immediate and effective measures to protect the safety and security of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions and personnel.
Following the meeting, High Commissioner Verma expressed India’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised. Speaking to reporters, he reaffirmed India’s intention to maintain friendly relations with Bangladesh, emphasizing that bilateral ties are multifaceted and should not be defined by isolated incidents.
The attack in Agartala is the latest in a series of troubling developments that have strained diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries. The incident involved the forceful entry of the group into the mission premises, acts of vandalism, and the tearing of Bangladesh’s national flag, all of which occurred despite the presence of local law enforcement.
Bangladesh has expressed disappointment over the apparent failure of Indian authorities to provide adequate protection to the mission. Similar concerns had been raised following a protest incident at Bangladesh’s Kolkata mission on November 28.
While the Indian government has condemned the Agartala attack and described it as "unfortunate," questions remain about the effectiveness of the measures taken to prevent such incidents. The Tripura authorities have reportedly arrested several individuals involved in the attack, and administrative actions have been initiated against some police officers for negligence.
The suspension of operations at the Agartala mission highlights the growing unease in Bangladesh over the safety of its diplomatic establishments in India. The Bangladeshi government has reiterated its call for India to uphold international norms and ensure the security of all diplomatic missions operating within its borders.
Despite the tensions, both countries have expressed a desire to preserve their historically close relationship. The bilateral ties between Bangladesh and India encompass a wide range of cooperation in areas such as trade, culture, and regional stability. Leaders from both sides have emphasized the importance of maintaining open dialogue and fostering people-to-people connections to overcome challenges.
For now, the future of the Agartala mission’s operations remains uncertain, as the Bangladeshi authorities continue to assess the situation and demand concrete assurances from their Indian counterparts.
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