Bangladesh on Thursday summoned Acting Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lodge a formal protest over what it described as anti-Bangladesh remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
According to Foreign Ministry sources, the acting Indian envoy was summoned on Thursday afternoon, during which the protest was formally conveyed
The move follows a recent interview given by Sarma to Indian media outlet ABP, in which he reportedly commented on India-Bangladesh relations and regional security concerns.
In the interview, Sarma was quoted as saying, “I always pray to God in the morning that the situation that existed during Yunus’s time should remain the same, and that relations should not improve.”
He further stated, “We like it when India-Bangladesh relations are not good. Because when relations improve, the Indian government also does not want to push back illegal migrants. Therefore, people of Assam prefer a hostile relationship between India and Bangladesh. When India and Bangladesh become friendly and when the BSF and BGB start shaking hands, it becomes dangerous for Assam.”
Foreign ministry sources said Dhaka strongly condemned the remarks, describing them as inappropriate and detrimental to bilateral relations.
