Tensions between Bangladesh and India have escalated following Monday attack by a Hindu religious group on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala, Tripura, prompting the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry to summon the Indian High Commissioner for a formal protest.
Amid the evolving situation, Bangladesh authorities on Tuesday suspended all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with Bangladesh acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner Pranay Verma said the “multifaceted and wide-ranging” relations between the two countries cannot be reduced to one issue.
Chief Adviser Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, at a separate briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, said India is a big neighbour and Bangladesh wants good relations with the neighbor. “But we think this good relationship should be based on just and equity.”
Bangladeshi nurse Rikta Akter Banu has been included in the list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2024 – published by the BBC on Tuesday – for her role in creating a positive impact on the community views around disability.
The women were selected in five categories- Climate Pioneers, Culture and Education, Entertainment and Sport, Politics and Advocacy and Science, Health and Tech.
Rikta Akter Banu was selected under Science, Health and Tech category.
Rikta lives in a remote area of northern Bangladesh where having an autistic or disabled child is seen as a curse, according to BBC.
A writ petition, pleading for court direction to ban broadcasting of Indian television (TV) channels in Bangladesh, has been filed.
Supreme Court lawyer Syeda Shahin Ara Laili filed the plea with the High Court through her lawyer Md Aklas Uddin Bhuiyan on December 2.
The writ also pleaded for court direction to stop broadcasting of advertisements, meant for Bangladeshi consumers, on Indian TV channels.
Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma was summoned by the foreign affairs ministry this afternoon.
"He has been asked to come," foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain told media in his brief comment without elaborating further.
The Indian envoy entered the foreign ministry at 4pm.
The Indian high commissioner was summoned by acting foreign secretary Reaz
Hamidullah.