Amid escalating diplomatic tensions, India summoned the Bangladeshi High Commissioner, M. Riaz Hamidullah, to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday, marking the second such summons within a week. This action follows Bangladesh summoning the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to express serious concerns regarding the security of Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in India.

The recent diplomatic friction stems from a series of incidents, including protests outside Bangladeshi missions in India. Bangladesh has condemned these acts, citing threats to the safety of diplomatic personnel and a violation of mutual respect and peace. Specifically, the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry summoned Verma to address concerns about incidents outside the Bangladesh High Commission and the High Commissioner's residence in New Delhi on December 20, as well as reported vandalism at a Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22. These incidents have been attributed to extremist elements.

India's MEA had previously summoned Hamidullah on December 17, citing security concerns surrounding the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. This initial summons followed reports of planned protests near the Indian High Commission in Dhaka by extremist groups. The MEA has refuted what it describes as a false narrative propagated by these elements regarding recent events in Bangladesh.

The situation is further complicated by internal unrest in Bangladesh, including protests sparked by the killing of a student leader, Sharif Osman Hadi, and the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das. Hadi's death led to anti-India protests and allegations against India, while Das's killing sparked outrage and concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Adding to the complexity, Hasnat Abdullah, a leader from the National Citizen Party (NCP), made controversial statements suggesting Bangladesh could harbor separatist forces from India and potentially sever the northeastern states.

In response to the escalating security concerns, Bangladesh has temporarily suspended consular and visa services in New Delhi and Agartala.

Amidst these tensions, there are also indications of efforts to mend relations. Bangladesh's Finance Adviser, Salehuddin Ahmed, stated that the interim administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, is focused on strengthening bilateral ties and ensuring economic stability, with Yunus personally working to normalize relations. Bangladesh has also decided to import 50,000 metric tonnes of rice from India.

However, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs in India has presented a report calling the deterioration of relations since 2024 the greatest strategic challenge for India in Bangladesh since 1971. This assessment is based on factors such as generational discontinuity, the collapse of the 1971 consensus, the rise of new political forces, the rise of Islamic radicalism, and strategic realignment with Pakistan and China. Some reports suggest that Muhammad Yunus has been steering Bangladesh away from India and towards Pakistan, including increased military cooperation.