Tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated into a full-blown crisis, marked by violent protests and diplomatic fallout. The relationship, already strained after the August 5, 2024, political shift in Bangladesh, has deteriorated further with both nations voicing serious concerns about the security of their diplomatic missions.
The immediate trigger for the recent escalation appears to be the death of Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi. News reports alleging the shooter fled to India further inflamed tensions. This incident followed closely on the heels of the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a garment worker, which India cited as an example of minority persecution in Bangladesh.
Protests have erupted in both countries. In India, groups protested near the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi against the killing of Dipu Chandra Das. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian external affairs ministry, noted "misleading propaganda by some sections of the Bangladeshi media regarding the incident". Conversely, Bangladesh's Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain questioned why Indian authorities allowed protesters so close to the High Commission. In Siliguri, West Bengal, a Bangladesh visa center was attacked by Hindutva organizations alleging persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, leading to its indefinite closure.
These events have led to a series of reciprocal diplomatic actions. Bangladesh summoned the Indian High Commissioner to protest the incidents in New Delhi and Siliguri, condemning the violence and intimidation against its diplomatic establishments. In response to the protests and security concerns, the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chattogram suspended operations, and IVACs in Dhaka, Khulna, and Rajshahi experienced partial closures. Dhaka also suspended visa and consular services at its High Commission in Delhi and Assistant High Commission in Agartala.
Underlying these immediate triggers are deeper issues that have been festering for some time. Following the change in government in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, India drastically restricted visa issuance and trade. Dhaka, in turn, imposed restrictions on the import of Indian yarn. India has repeatedly expressed concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, while Dhaka has maintained that these are internal matters and accused the Indian media of spreading misinformation.
Adding complexity to the situation, Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on December 14, 2025, raising concerns about "anti-Bangladesh activities" allegedly being carried out by fugitive Awami League members based in India. These activities reportedly include planning and facilitating terrorist acts within Bangladesh, aimed at disrupting upcoming elections.
Amidst this turmoil, there are signs of potential de-escalation. Bangladesh's finance advisor Salehuddin Ahmed stated that the interim administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, is personally working to mend ties with India. As a gesture of goodwill, the Yunus administration has decided to import 50,000 metric tonnes of rice from India.
However, the situation remains precarious. A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs in India has characterized the developments in Bangladesh as the most significant strategic challenge to India since the 1971 Liberation War. The committee has suggested establishing a crisis response mechanism and a High-Level Consular Coordination Cell to manage the situation and safeguard diplomatic assets. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the two nations can navigate this crisis and restore stability to their relationship.
