India plans to withdraw the families and dependents of its diplomats from Bangladesh as security concerns rise ahead of the country’s February 12 general election, an Indian official said on Wednesday. The move comes amid heightened political tension in Dhaka as campaigning is due to begin on Thursday.
Read More: Do India– Bangladesh Relations Signal a New Strategic Front?
Relations between the South Asian neighbours have deteriorated over the past year following the ouster of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Hasina fled to India in the aftermath of deadly protests, and New Delhi’s earlier backing of her administration has since complicated bilateral ties.
The Indian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the withdrawal as part of “internal readjustments”, without offering further details. Indian media reports indicated that diplomats’ families would leave as a precaution, though it remains unclear when they might return. Both foreign ministries declined to comment.
India has raised concerns about the security of its mission in Dhaka, summoning Bangladesh’s high commissioner in December over what it described as a deteriorating situation and threats to Indian diplomats. The warning followed months of unrest and anti-India sentiment linked to the upheaval that toppled Hasina.
In November, the former premier was sentenced to death on charges of ordering a crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. The interim government, headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has sought Hasina’s extradition from India while rejecting claims of a rise in violence against minority Hindus.
Read More: Bangladesh rejects Indian official’s visa ahead of T20 World Cup
Political volatility intensified last month after Sharif Osman Hadi — a key student leader in the 2024 uprising and vocal critic of India — died from wounds sustained in an assassination attempt. His killing sparked violent protests, with crowds torching buildings including media outlets accused of favouring New Delhi, as well as a cultural institution in Dhaka.
The upcoming election is expected to test the country’s fragile transition and its strained diplomatic ties with India.