The United States (US) hopes the recent tensions in the Bangladesh-India ties will be resolved soon and peacefully, said the US Department of State.
“We hope all parties resolve their differences peacefully,” US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a regular briefing on Tuesday (10 December).
During the briefing, journalists sought the US’s reaction to the incident and highlighted India's foreign secretary's recent visit to Bangladesh, as well as the growing concern over the aggressive rhetoric targeting Bangladesh emanating from India.
In response, Miller emphasised the US's stance on fostering diplomatic harmony.
A violent attack on the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, has intensified diplomatic tensions between Dhaka and Delhi.
During the assault, radical Hindutva activists vandalised the premises, desecrated Bangladesh’s national flag by lowering and tearing it, and caused significant damage.
The incident, which Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described as a violation of the Vienna Convention, has garnered international attention.
The attack, which occurred amid large-scale protests organised under the banner of a group named Hindu Sangharsh Samity, ostensibly condemned the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and demanded the release of former ISKCON member Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Assistant High Commission, ostensibly to submit a memorandum under heavy security.
However, the situation escalated when some members of the group breached security, entered the mission compound, and carried out acts of vandalism, including the desecration of the national flag.
Officials at the Bangladeshi Assistant High Commission reported that the attack appeared premeditated, with security forces allowing demonstrators to enter the compound.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed outrage, terming the incident a grave breach of diplomatic protocol under the Vienna Convention.
Last week's events have strained relations between the two neighbours further.
The assault coincided with demonstrations denouncing Bangladesh’s treatment of its Hindu minority and intensified rhetoric against Dhaka.
Bangladesh has urged India to ensure the safety of its diplomatic missions and personnel.
This development follows a series of recent incidents, including an attempted siege of Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and controversial comments by Tripura’s chief minister that have exacerbated tensions.
Meanwhile, in Dhaka, the government has vowed to pursue strong diplomatic measures in response to the attack.
The aftermath has seen seven individuals arrested and three police officers suspended in connection with the incident.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains firm in its stance, calling for accountability and urging India to uphold the sanctity of diplomatic premises in line with international law.
