Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Bangladesh on December 23 expressed grave concern over attacks on its diplomatic missions in India, summoning the Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma to protest incidents in New Delhi and Siliguri, according to a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry statement “Bangladesh condemns such acts of premeditated violence or intimidation against diplomatic establishments, which not only endanger the safety of diplomatic personnel but also undermine the principles of mutual respect and values of peace and tolerance”, it added.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry condemned the violence, citing threats to diplomatic personnel and establishments, and urged India to ensure their safety and security. “The Government of Bangladesh called upon the Government of India to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents, to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such acts and to ensure safety and security of Bangladesh ‘s diplomatic missions and related facilities in India”, the statement said.
The incidents include vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22 and a protest outside the Banglaesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20.”The Government of Bangladesh expects the Government of India to immediately take appropriate steps in accordance with its international and diplomatic obligations to safeguard the dignity and security of diplomatic personnel and establishments”, it said. Earlier, Bangladesh had suspended visa operations in Delhi and Siliguri, citing security concerns, a foreign ministry official said.
“In Delhi, an incident occurred in which a group of people surrounded the Bangladesh High Commission. After this event, Bangladesh expressed concerns over security. As a result, no visas are currently being issued from the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi,” the official said.
