Dhaka [Bangladesh]: Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met with acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah on Tuesday, following the attack on Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala, Tripura.
The meeting came after the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Verma to address the breach, as reported by Daily Star.
India’s Commitment to Strengthening Ties
Speaking after the meeting, Verma emphasized the broad and multifaceted relationship between the two countries.
“We have a wide-ranging and multifaceted relationship. You cannot reduce it to one issue,” Verma said, expressing India’s intent to foster a stable and constructive partnership.
He highlighted positive developments over the years, including collaborations in power supply and essential commodities, reiterating, “We are interested to engage based on the aspirations of people.”
Security Measures Enhanced for Bangladeshi Diplomatic Premises
In response to the December 2 incident, where protestors breached the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed regret and condemned the act.
“The breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances,” the MEA stated.
The government has announced increased security measures for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its other diplomatic premises across the country.
Backdrop of Rising Tensions
The incident in Agartala follows rising tensions in Bangladesh, marked by violence against minority communities. The unrest escalated after the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above the Bangladeshi national flag in Chittagong on October 25.
India and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to resolving issues diplomatically, while both sides work to ensure the safety and sanctity of diplomatic missions.