Will Bangladesh Shrink Diplomatic Presence In India Over Security Concerns? Here’s What Dhaka Says

Last Updated:December 22, 2025, 00:01 IST

“We will go down that road if the situation warrants…We completely reject Indian press note on Saturday’s protest,” says Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain

Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain (right) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. (File)

Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain on Sunday said Dhaka may consider shrinking its diplomatic presence in India over security concerns “if the situation warrants”.

“We will go down that road if the situation warrants… For now, we will keep our faith in India to do its bit,” he said at a press briefing, reacting to Saturday evening’s protest.

Amid Bangladesh unrest, Dipu Chandra Das, 27, a garment factory worker, was lynched to death by an enraged mob in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, over allegations of blasphemy.

He was tied up, killed and then his body was set afire while thousands of people watched, in a glaring display of lawlessness and mobocracy in Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus’ regime. However, Mohd Samsuzzaman, a Company Commander of Rapid Action Battalion in Mymensingh, told The Daily Star that no evidence was found indicating that the deceased had written anything on Facebook that might have hurt religious sentiments.

What MEA said on Sunday

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said that no attempt was made to breach the fence of the High Commission on Saturday, and that the Centre has urged that the perpetrators of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man who was lynched to death in Bangladesh, be brought to justice.

“We have noted misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media on the [High Commission] incident. The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on 20 December and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh,” said the statement.

“There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see. India is committed to ensure the safety of foreign Missions/Posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention,” he said.

“India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh. Our officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice,” said Jaiswal.

‘We reject Indian press note’: Hossain responds

Hossain dismissed the Indian statement. “Regarding the Indian press note, we completely reject it, entirely reject it. The issue has been presented as if it were very simple, whereas in reality it is not. Our mission is located deep inside the diplomatic area, not at the periphery,” said Hossain.

ALSO READ | Urged Bangladesh To Bring Perpetrators Of Barbaric Killing Of Dipu Chandra Das To Justice: MEA

“We dismiss/rebut what was said by the Indian side. Why are Hindu right-wing, violent groups being allowed to venture this close to a diplomatic location. They did not only protest Dipu Das’s murder, but I know, I don’t have proof, but I know they gave some other slogans also,” he said.

“Police usually stop people far from a diplomatic location. This time, how did they venture this close? Why tie the condition of minorities in Bangladesh to Dipu’s murder? He is a Bangladeshi citizen, Bangladesh will take action,” he said.

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