India has taken swift action to bolster security measures for Bangladesh's diplomatic missions following an incident involving a breach at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a statement expressing deep regret over the incident, emphasizing that "diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances." The MEA underscored India's commitment to safeguarding diplomatic missions by announcing enhanced security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its Deputy/Assistant High Commissions across the country.
This recent development follows a series of concerns raised by India regarding the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh. Last week, during a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Bangladesh's interim government to take concrete steps to protect its minority communities.
Jaiswal expressed deep concern over "extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence and provocation" targeting Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He stated that India has consistently and strongly raised these issues with the Bangladeshi government, demanding a responsible response from the interim administration to safeguard the rights and interests of all its citizens.
Jaiswal's statement came amidst escalating tensions in Bangladesh, marked by violent attacks against Hindus and their religious sites. The situation was further aggravated by the arrest of a former priest, Chinmoy Krishna Das, on sedition charges for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh's national flag in Chittagong on October 25. Tensions reached a boiling point with the killing of a lawyer during clashes between police and alleged followers of Das in the Chattogram Court Building area on November 27.
India's decision to strengthen security for Bangladeshi diplomatic missions reflects its deep commitment to protecting its neighboring country's diplomatic interests while also emphasizing the urgency for Bangladesh to address the growing concerns surrounding the safety and security of its minority communities.
