Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Tuesday, marking an escalation in the growing tensions between the two neighboring countries. The state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) confirmed that Verma entered the ministry office at 4 p.m. for discussions with acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain briefly stated to the media, “He [Verma] has been asked to come,” without elaborating further on the agenda of the meeting.
Underlying Issues
Tensions have been simmering since August 5, when ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, a development that has created political upheaval in Dhaka. The situation worsened last week with the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, which has drawn criticism from various quarters and raised concerns over minority rights and regional stability.
The Bigger Picture
While the exact reasons for Verma’s summoning remain unclear, the developments highlight the strained relations between India and Bangladesh amidst ongoing political turmoil and sensitive religious issues. Both nations will need to navigate these challenges diplomatically to avoid further deterioration in ties.
