The situation at Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions across India remained relatively calm on Wednesday, with significantly fewer anti-Bangladesh protests reported compared to the previous day. Tensions had peaked on Tuesday when large groups of Hindu activists staged demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and several other missions across India.
On Wednesday, however, only sporadic protests were reported, mainly at several land ports along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal, officials said.
A senior official stationed at a Bangladeshi mission in India told TIMES of Bangladesh, “The situation is much better today compared to what we experienced on Tuesday. We hope things will continue to improve in the coming days.”
Asked about demonstrations near border points, the official said trade operations at the Petrapole land port remained unaffected. “The protesters stayed on the roads and did not disrupt cross-border trade,” he added.
Tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi have persisted since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government last year. The situation worsened recently after sections of the Bangladeshi public alleged Indian involvement in the killing of popular political leader Sharif Osman Hadi. On the Indian side, protests erupted following the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu, in Mymensingh on 18 December.
The evolving situation is being closely monitored by major global powers. Russia has publicly urged both countries to reduce tensions. Meanwhile, the International Crisis Group, in a recent report on Bangladesh–India relations, advised restraint on both sides. It said India should avoid statements that could be perceived in Bangladesh as interference in its elections, while Bangladeshi political parties should refrain from using anti-India rhetoric for electoral gains.
Role of China
Analysts say prolonged tension between Dhaka and New Delhi would serve no one’s interests and could destabilise the broader region.
Former Bangladesh ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmed said instability creates uncertainty that affects diplomatic relations, trade and economic cooperation. “No country benefits from uncertainty,” he said.
Commenting on Beijing’s position, he noted that China prioritises “win-win economic cooperation” with regional partners, including both Bangladesh and India. “China wants stable relations with India because it serves its long-term interests, while at the same time maintaining strong political and economic ties with other South Asian countries,” he said.
Rejecting the notion that Beijing would exploit any diplomatic vacuum, the former envoy added that China prefers a stable and prosperous South Asia, as regional stability ultimately benefits all parties.
