India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi to express concerns over what it described as a deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh, amid renewed tensions between the two neighbours.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah was called in on Wednesday and briefed on the activities of what it termed “extremist elements” who have reportedly announced plans to create security challenges affecting Indian interests.

According to the MEA, India conveyed its strong concerns about the security environment in Bangladesh, with particular reference to alleged plans by some groups to create a security situation around the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

“India completely rejects the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh,” the MEA said in a statement following the meeting.

India also said it was disappointed that Bangladesh’s interim government had neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared what it described as meaningful evidence related to the incidents.

Call for mission security

The MEA reiterated that India shared close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh, rooted in the 1971 Liberation War and strengthened through development cooperation and people-to-people ties.

India said it supported peace and stability in Bangladesh and had consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections conducted in a peaceful environment.

New Delhi said it expected Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic missions and posts in accordance with international obligations.

Visa centre closes early in Dhaka

Amid the ongoing security situation, the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka closed early on Wednesday.

In a notice, the centre said it would close at 2:00pm local time due to security concerns. All applicants with appointments scheduled for the day were told their submissions would be rescheduled.

The IVAC at Jamuna Future Park is the main integrated centre handling Indian visa services in the Bangladeshi capital.

BD seeks cooperation from India

Separately, Bangladesh sought India’s cooperation in preventing suspects linked to a recent attempted assassination of Bangladeshi political leader Sharif Osman Hadi from fleeing across the border.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma in Dhaka and requested assistance to ensure that any suspects entering Indian territory would be apprehended and extradited to Bangladesh.

Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson for the Inquilab Moncho and a potential independent candidate in the Dhaka-8 constituency, was targeted in the attack earlier this month.

Bangladeshi authorities said police had identified the attackers and their associates, seized the motorcycle used in the incident and intensified operations to arrest those involved.

Patrols by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been increased along border areas, while information on suspects has been shared with immigration checkpoints to prevent their escape.

Authorities said the suspects’ locations had been identified several times, but arrests had not yet been possible due to their repeated changes of location.

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma expressed India’s expectation of peaceful elections in Bangladesh and said New Delhi was ready to extend cooperation in this regard.

Extradition issue raised

Bangladesh also raised concerns over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it objected to India allowing Sheikh Hasina to continue making what it described as incendiary statements, accusing her of urging supporters to engage in activities aimed at disrupting Bangladesh’s upcoming national election.

Bangladesh reiterated its demand for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to face sentences handed down by judicial authorities in Bangladesh.

The ministry also alleged that fugitive Awami League members staying in India were involved in planning, organising and supporting violent activities inside Bangladesh to obstruct the election process.

India was urged to take swift action to stop such activities and extradite those involved, the ministry said.