Bangladesh summoned the Indian envoy on Tuesday to convey its concerns over breach of security in its premises in Agartala in Tripura.
Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma was called to meet the Acting Foreign Secretary of MoFA even as Bangladesh suspended consular and visa activities at its mission in Agartala.
He was summoned to the office of the acting Foreign Secretary M Riaz Hamidullah, on Tuesday.
Verma told mediapersons that his meeting with the acting Foreign Secretary of Bangaldesh’s interim government was “part of our regular exchanges.”
He said that India’s relationship with Bangladesh is wide-ranging and multi-faceted and cannot be reduced to one issue or agenda.
India’s High Commissioner emphasized India’s earnest intention to build a positive, stable and constructive relationship moving forward.
He said, ” We have maintained a lot of positive momentum in the relationship.”
Verma said, ” We are willing to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh and we remain interested in working with Bangladesh to fulfil our shared aspirations for peace, security and development.”
Earlier this week, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the breach of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala.
The MEA described the incident as deeply regrettable and stressed that diplomatic and consular proprerties should not be targeted under any circumstances.
“Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country,” the MEA said.
Meanwhile, the police in Tripura arrested seven members of a Hindu group and charged them with breaking into the Bangladesh consulate and vandalising property.
Those arrested were part of demonstrations organised by the Hindu Sangharsha Samiti, a group which claims to protect Hindu interests.
They held protests over the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh on several charges including sedition.
The police took this action after hours after Bangladesh demanded immediate action against protesters who broke into the consulate.
“The government of Bangladesh calls upon the government of India to take immediate action to address this incident, to undertake a thorough investigation … to prevent any further acts of violence against the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh,” it said in a statement.
Bangladesh’s interim government alleged the protesters damaged property in its consulate and desecrated the national flag.
“Around 50 of them broke into the property’s main gate, and brought down the Bangladeshi flag post,” said district police officer Kiran Kumar K. in west Tripura.
He said that disciplinary action had been taken against four police officers in charge of consulate security.
Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the acting president of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, criticised the attack.
He said that such incidents cause division and discord among neighbours.
