Bangladesh summons Indian envoy to protest remarks by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

DHAKA: Bangladesh summoned acting Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe and protested the remarks made by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma , and stressed avoiding comments that might hurt bilateral ties.

Director General Ishrat Jahan conveyed Dhaka’s position to the acting Indian high commissioner during a meeting at the ministry of foreign affairs (MoFA). Bangladesh described the remarks as disparaging to Bangladesh-India relations and expressed its displeasure to India, said a diplomatic source.



The MoFA, however, did not issue any official statement. Sarma on April 26 said 20 foreign nationals were apprehended in Assam and pushed back to Bangladesh. Bangladesh stressed that public statements capable of straining ties between the two neighbours are counterproductive, and highlighted the importance of exercising restraint when addressing sensitive bilateral issues.