Indian Envoy Summoned By Bangladesh As Tensions Simmer Between Neighbours

Bangladesh today summoned India's envoy to Dhaka amid tensions between both countries over the surge in violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma arrived at the Foreign Ministry Office in Dhaka at 4 pm local time.

Apart from the violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, that New Delhi has raised on several occasions with Dhaka, tensions between both sides have also been high since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India after being forced to step down by protesters.

Without giving any details about why the envoy was summoned, Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain just said, "He (Verma) has been asked to come."

"The Indian High Commissioner has been summoned by acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah," Bangladesh's state-run news agency said.

India has taken up the issue of Hindus being targeted in Bangladesh and priests being arrested by the authorities in Bangladesh. There have also been multiple incidents of violence, vandalism and desecration targeting the minority Hindu community.

There has been no official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi regarding the summoning of the Indian envoy.

More details are awaited.