Bangladesh: India to withdraw diplomats' families amid nationwide violence

Dhaka: With Bangladesh wracked by widespread violence over the last several months, India has decided to withdraw the families of all diplomats posted in the troubled country over concerns regarding the security situation.

Officials however, asserted that there will be no impact on the number of diplomats, or the functioning of the Indian High Commission and Assistant High Commissions in Bangladesh.

What is the reason for this decision?

The current state of relations between India and Bangladesh is no secret. This is why India is continuously taking swift decisions with utmost caution. It is believed that India has begun making advance preparations in anticipation of major political changes in Bangladesh, which has intensified discussions at the international level. Elections in Bangladesh are now just days away. According to reports, interim government head Muhammad Yunus attempted to postpone the elections and tried to encourage radical forces to engage in anti-India activities to further strengthen ties with China and Pakistan. However, these attempts failed.

What decision has India taken?

Meanwhile, India has taken a crucial and surprising decision. India has declared Bangladesh a non-family station. This means that Indian diplomats and officials posted in Bangladesh will no longer be allowed to keep their families (spouses or children) with them. Previously, this category was only for countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and South Sudan. Now, Bangladesh has also been added to this list.

It is reported that Indian officials were given strict instructions that their family members should return to India by January 8. Families with school-going children were given an additional 7 days' grace period. According to this decision, by January 15, most of the families of diplomats posted in Dhaka and other locations had returned to India.

Although the Ministry of External Affairs has not yet made any official public announcement regarding this decision, sources say that this step was taken based on intelligence reports and security assessments. This is why this decision is being discussed across the country and internationally.