Treating Bangladesh on par with Pakistan unfortunate: Foreign Adviser

India has recently decided to repatriate family members of diplomats and government officials working at Bangladeshi embassies and high commissions, prompting a reaction from Dhaka.

According to an exclusive BBC report, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has now classified Bangladesh as a ‘non-family’ country, placing it alongside Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan. As a result, families of diplomats posted in Dhaka have been instructed to return home.

New Delhi said the decision was taken as part of security precautions, though Indian missions abroad, including the High Commission in Dhaka, will remain operational.

Responding to the issue, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told BBC Hindi that there is no evidence that Bangladesh failed to ensure the safety of Indians. He said if India chooses to place Bangladesh on the same level as Pakistan, it is India’s decision, but it is certainly unfortunate.

Speaking on the future of bilateral relations, he said if both sides truly want good relations, they must first decide whether they genuinely want them. He added that repeated actions that damage relations will inevitably have consequences.

He also said that based on his experience with India over the past 40 years, India tends to overreact, adding that he had expected a more balanced response.

Earlier, on Tuesday, January 20, India’s state-run news agency Press Trust of India reported that family members of Indian officials and diplomats would be repatriated.