Dhaka, December 18, 2025: Bangladesh police on Thursday prevented protesters from marching toward an Indian diplomatic mission, a day after India’s foreign ministry expressed concern over what it described as a “deteriorating” security environment in the country.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have remained strained since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following a student-led uprising last year. Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition to face trial over alleged crimes, while New Delhi has said it is examining the requests.
On Thursday, dozens of demonstrators attempted to march toward the office of the assistant Indian high commissioner in the Rajshahi district, which borders India. One of the protesters, Miftahul Jannat, said the plan was to stage a sit-in to demand the “repatriation of all the killers, including Sheikh Hasina”.
Police halted the march, saying they had listened to the protesters’ demands and assured them the matter would be conveyed to the relevant authorities.
“We are not aware of any further plans for demonstrations and hope the issue will be resolved peacefully,” Nashid Farhad, a senior officer of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, told AFP.
A day earlier, another group of protesters had attempted to march toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
On Wednesday, India’s foreign ministry summoned Bangladesh’s top diplomat in New Delhi to convey concerns over the activities of what it described as “extremist elements”. In a statement, the ministry said it expected the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic missions and posts in Bangladesh in line with its international obligations.
Sheikh Hasina, 78, was sentenced to death in absentia by a Bangladeshi court last month on charges of crimes against humanity.
Bangladesh, a nation of around 170 million people, is scheduled to hold general elections on February 12. The Awami League, formerly led by Hasina, has been barred from contesting the polls.
