Bangladesh mission attack in Delhi: Dhaka rejects India’s account, cites security lapses

Dhaka has firmly rejected India’s explanation of the reported protest and threats in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, asserting that the incident involved serious security failures and included death threats against Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah.

Speaking to reporters at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday, December 21, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain outlined the interim government’s position, dismissing the claim made in India’s press note as incomplete and misleading.

“We completely reject the explanation given in India’s press note. The matter is not as simple as it has been presented,” Touhid Hossain said, stressing that the Bangladesh High Commission is located within a designated diplomatic zone and not outside a protected area, as suggested by the Indian side.

Referring to India’s claim that 20-25 people were involved in the protest, the adviser said the number could have been higher. 

He questioned how members of what he described as a Hindu extremist group were able to enter such a highly secured diplomatic area. “This indicates that they were somehow allowed to reach the premises, which is unacceptable,” he said.

On reports that the High Commissioner was threatened with death, Touhid Hossain said there was no direct evidence at hand but noted that such threats had been reported. “The fundamental question is how they were able to go there and issue threats at all. This cannot be accepted under any circumstances,” he added.

The adviser emphasised that the incident went beyond sloganeering, noting that the High Commissioner and his family reside within the High Commission compound. “They felt threatened and panicked. Security was clearly inadequate – only two security personnel were present, and they effectively remained passive,” he said, underscoring that ensuring the safety of diplomatic missions is the responsibility of the host country under international law.

He added that international norms governing the protection of diplomatic missions were not properly observed in this case, while noting that Dhaka had taken note of India’s assurance that security is being ensured for all foreign missions.

Rejecting claims that Bangladeshi media misrepresented the incident, Touhid Hossain said local media reports were based on fairly accurate information and should not be dismissed as misleading.

Addressing a separate query on the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, the adviser said a Bangladeshi citizen was brutally murdered and that there was no justification for linking the incident to broader minority security issues. 

He said law enforcement agencies acted promptly and several arrests had already been made, adding that such crimes occur across the region and must be addressed through swift legal action.

When asked whether Dhaka would formally lodge a protest or summon the Indian High Commissioner, Touhid Hossain said it was not appropriate to discuss the format of diplomatic engagements publicly. “India is in touch with us, and we are in touch with India. We are conveying our position and taking necessary measures,” he said, adding that his remarks reflected the official stance of the Bangladesh government.

On whether Bangladesh was considering scaling back operations at its mission in New Delhi amid rising tensions, he said no such decision had been taken but noted that Dhaka expects India to take appropriate corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.