India on Wednesday summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi to formally convey its serious concern over the security of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka after a recent threat was reported. Officials said the issue was taken up at a diplomatic level to ensure the safety of Indian personnel and property in Bangladesh.
The summons of Bangladesh High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah comes a day after a controversial statement by a Bangladeshi political leader, who threatened to “isolate” India’s north-eastern states, commonly referred to as the Seven Sisters. Though the Indian government did not publicly disclose the exact nature of the threat to its mission in Dhaka, sources said the matter was viewed as serious and required immediate attention.
The development comes at a sensitive time, just a day after India observed Vijay Diwas, marking the 54th anniversary of the 1971 Liberation War that led to the creation of Bangladesh. On that occasion, Bangladesh had reiterated that its relationship with India was based on mutual benefit and shared history. 
However, relations between the two neighbours have witnessed strain in recent months, particularly amid rising anti-India rhetoric in Bangladesh’s political discourse. On Monday, National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah, known for his strong criticism of India, warned that Bangladesh could give shelter to separatist elements from India’s northeast if his country was destabilised.
“If Bangladesh is destabilised, the fire of resistance will spread beyond borders,” Abdullah said at a public rally. He alleged that foreign forces were still trying to exert control over Bangladesh decades after its independence, without directly naming India.
The rally followed an attempted assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical leader linked to Inqilab Mancha. The group has alleged Indian involvement in the attack, claims that New Delhi has firmly denied.
Tensions further rose after Bangladesh recently summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, seeking cooperation in the case and again demanding the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. India has rejected allegations linking it to violence or unrest in Bangladesh.
