New Delhi: Relations between India and Bangladesh have entered a strained phase following a series of violent incidents inside Bangladesh and protests around diplomatic missions in both countries, prompting reciprocal diplomatic actions, visa disruptions and heightened security concerns over the past week.
The deterioration in ties follows unrest in Bangladesh after the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi and the lynching of a Hindu worker, Dipu Chandra Das, incidents that triggered protests, vandalism and international attention. These developments have spilled over into diplomatic spaces, with demonstrations reported outside missions in Dhaka, New Delhi, Kolkata and other cities, leading both governments to raise concerns about the safety of diplomatic staff and premises.
Tensions escalated after Hadi, a prominent figure associated with last year’s student-led pro-democracy movement in Bangladesh, was shot by unidentified gunmen on December 12 while leaving a mosque in Dhaka. He succumbed to his injuries on December 18 during treatment in Singapore. His death sparked renewed street protests in Bangladesh, during which media offices were reportedly vandalised and set on fire.
On the same night, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched along the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway in the Jamirdia Dubaliapara area. Initial reports suggested the attack was linked to alleged religious provocation, but subsequent police statements and family accounts indicated the killing stemmed from a workplace dispute. The incident drew sharp reactions in India, particularly from groups expressing concern over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
The situation further strained bilateral relations as protests unfolded near diplomatic missions. On December 17, Bangladeshi police stopped demonstrators attempting to march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka’s Gulshan area. In India, protests were held outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other diplomatic establishments, including visa centres.
On December 21, the Ministry of External Affairs described the killing of Dipu Chandra Das as a “horrendous” incident and said India was closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh. The ministry also dismissed reports of a security breach at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi as misleading.
Visa services were affected amid the unrest. On December 20, protests near the Bangladesh mission in New Delhi led to police dispersals. Bangladesh subsequently suspended visa operations at its centres in Delhi, Siliguri and Tripura following demonstrations and vandalism reported on December 22. India, citing security concerns, shut its visa application centre in Chattogram earlier.
The diplomatic exchange intensified on December 23 when Bangladesh’s foreign ministry summoned the Indian envoy, citing incidents including protests outside its missions in New Delhi and Siliguri. Earlier, India had summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to convey concerns over the security environment in Dhaka and remarks by political figures perceived as threatening.
In Kolkata, clashes were reported on December 23 when protesters attempted to march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission at Beckbagan. Police stopped the procession and made preventive arrests to secure the diplomatic premises, according to officials.
The current phase of tension comes against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s political transition following last year’s unrest and legal proceedings involving former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains in India. While both countries have reiterated commitments to diplomatic norms, recent events have underscored the fragility of ties amid internal unrest and cross-border sensitivities.
