The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh's Acting High Commissioner to India, Md. Nural Islam, on Friday, 7 February, in protest over the continued negative remarks by Bangladeshi authorities regarding India.
In an official statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner to India, Md. Nural Islam was summoned by MEA to the South Block today, 7 February 2025, at 5 p.m. It was conveyed that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh, which has been reiterated several times in recent high-level meetings. It is, however, regrettable that regular statements made by Bangladesh authorities continue to portray India negatively, holding us responsible for internal governance issues. These statements by Bangladesh are, in fact, responsible for the persistent negativity."
Jaiswal added, "Comments attributed to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have been made in her individual capacity in which India has no role to play. Conflating this with the Government of India's position is not going to help add positivity to bilateral relations. While the Government of India will make efforts for a mutually beneficial relationship, we expect that Bangladesh will reciprocate similarly without vitiating the atmosphere.
Bangladesh on Thursday formally lodged a "strong protest" with India over statements by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, particularly about the alleged recent vandalism of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house.
Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs termed Hasina's statements as "false and fabricated" and described her activities while in exile in India as a "hostile act".
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh has lodged a strong protest with the Government of India on the false and fabricated comments and statements perpetrated continuously at different platforms, including social media, by the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aimed at instigating instability in Bangladesh. 'Through the protest note handed over to the Acting High Commissioner of India in Dhaka, the Ministry conveyed the deep concern, disappointment, and serious reservation of the Government of Bangladesh,' reads a Facebook post made by the Ministry.
The Ministry further said, "Such activities by her are considered a hostile act towards Bangladesh and are not conducive to the efforts at establishing a healthy relationship between the two countries."
Bangladesh has asked India to prevent Hasina from making further statements, citing mutual respect and the historical ties between the two nations.
Bangladesh is also seeing widespread violence and arson attacks on properties belonging to Hasina and her Awami League party.
Protesters have reportedly attacked and burnt the houses of Awami League leaders across the country. Murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been razed or vandalized in nearly two dozen districts.
On Wednesday night, following Hasina's live online address, protesters targeted the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In Dhaka, the house of Awami League Presidium Member Sheikh Selim in Banani was burnt around 1:30 am on Friday.
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