India summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner on Wednesday to express its serious concerns regarding the security of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka following the receipt of a recent threat, as reported. Although authorities did not disclose the precise details of the threat, the decision to summon Bangladesh High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah occurred just one day after a prominent political figure issued a public threat to isolate the "Seven Sisters"—a term commonly used to refer to India's north-eastern states.
This diplomatic action took place shortly after India observed Vijay Diwas on December 16, commemorating the 54th anniversary of the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. During the occasion, statements from Bangladesh emphasised the mutually beneficial nature of the relationship between New Delhi and Dhaka.
The summoning reflects ongoing tensions amid an increase in anti-India rhetoric in Bangladesh ahead of upcoming elections, with bilateral relations having faced strains since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government the previous year.
In the days prior, Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and known for his criticism of India, made inflammatory remarks threatening to isolate the "Seven Sisters" and offer refuge to separatist groups in the event of any destabilisation of Bangladesh.
"If Bangladesh is destabilised, the fire of resistance will spread beyond borders. Since you are housing those who destabilise us, we will give refuge to the separatists of the Seven Sisters too," Hasnat said at a rally on Monday.
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