MEA rejects Dhaka's charges, says India never allowed territory for anti-Bangladesh activities
MEA rejects Dhaka's charges, says India never allowed territory for anti-Bangladesh activities
India rebuts Bangladesh's claim of Indian soil being used for incitement as Dhaka summons the Indian envoy amid election tensions.
New Delhi rejected Dhaka's assertion that Indian soil was used to incite anti-Bangladesh activities, stressing that India has never allowed its territory to be used for actions inimical to Bangladesh's interests. The stance underscored the complexity of a relationship strained since August 2024, when the Bangladesh interim government took power and relations began to deteriorate.
Dhaka summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to lodge a protest over what it described as incitement by former premier Hasina from Indian soil. Hasina has been living in self-exile in India since the collapse of her government in August 2024, a backdrop that has fed ongoing diplomatic frictions as Bangladesh gears up for elections.
Bangladesh is set to vote on February 12, with its election commission having barred Hasina's Awami League from contesting the polls. In this context, Dhaka reiterated its demand for Hasina's extradition, signaling the seriousness with which it views the political dispute and security concerns surrounding the electoral process.
India's external affairs ministry reaffirmed its position in favor of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in Bangladesh, held in a peaceful atmosphere. It urged the interim government to take all necessary steps to maintain internal law and order, while noting its long-standing stance on peaceful democratic conduct in neighboring Bangladesh.
The episode illustrates the ongoing strains in India-Bangladesh ties, with each side framing the issue within the broader pursuit of democratic processes and regional stability. The coming weeks will test the boundaries of diplomacy as both nations navigate sensitive political developments surrounding the election and Hasina's role.
Cover image source: Never allowed territory for activities against Bangladesh's interests: India 🔗
