Bangladesh mission in India attacked: Why are ties in freefall?

Agartala,India: Diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh have hit a new low after the attack on the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, Tripura, in India's northeast. The assault, which occurred on Monday, has drawn strong condemnation from Dhaka, which summoned the Indian envoy, urging a probe into the incident. New Delhi has expressed regret and arrested several individuals in connection with the attack.

The violence follows months of escalating tensions between the two South Asian nations, which have been strained since the controversial asylum granted to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India. The arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh on sedition charges sparked protests in India, further deepening the rift.

A key point of contention has been the treatment of minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. India has voiced concerns over increasing attacks against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, while Dhaka has dismissed India's criticism as exaggerated. Diplomatic dialogue continues, but experts suggest that trust has been eroded, and relations could suffer, potentially affecting trade and security cooperation.

While both countries share cultural and geographical ties, experts suggest that India must now focus on rebuilding relations by sending a strong message to Bangladesh's interim government. The involvement of foreign actors remains limited, with most analysts agreeing that the two nations must address their differences bilaterally.