Our Bureau
Dhaka
Bangladesh formally summoned India’s acting high commissioner on Thursday afternoon to protest remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling them “disparaging” to bilateral ties.
Director General Ishrat Jahan of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) met acting Indian High Commissioner Pawan Badhe at the ministry and conveyed Dhaka’s displeasure. Bangladesh stressed that public comments that could strain neighbourly relations are “counterproductive” and urged India to exercise restraint on sensitive diplomatic issues.
The diplomatic row began after Sarma stated on April 26 that 20 foreign nationals were apprehended in Assam and subsequently “pushed back to Bangladesh”. Dhaka described the remark as harmful to India-Bangladesh relations and expressed strong objection, according to a diplomatic source. The MoFA did not issue an official statement but confirmed the meeting took place on Thursday afternoon, April 30.
Bangladesh highlighted the importance of avoiding statements that might hurt the two countries’ relationship, especially as both nations navigate evolving political dynamics in 2026. The acting envoy was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka to formally lodge the protest.
This incident marks the latest diplomatic friction between the neighbours. Both sides have historically maintained friendly ties, but sensitive border and immigration issues often spark public disagreements. Dhaka’s message was clear: public discourse must be handled carefully to preserve cooperation.
India has not yet issued an official response to Bangladesh’s protest. The case underscores how quickly regional diplomacy can be affected by state-level political statements, even when national governments prefer steady relations.
Diplomats on both sides are now calling for dialogue to prevent the issue from escalating further.
