Bangladesh on Sunday rejected remarks made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, stating that the protests left the Bangladesh High Commissioner and his family feeling threatened.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain outlined Bangladesh’s position while responding to questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We completely reject what has been said in the Indian press note. We completely reject it because the matter is not as simple as it has been presented. Our mission is located deep inside the diplomatic zone. It is not that it is outside or at the beginning of the diplomatic zone,” said the Foreign Adviser.

“The High Commissioner and his family live there. They felt threatened and frightened due to inadequate security,” he said, adding that only two guards were present and stood silently during the protest. “So we believe it is the responsibility of the host country to strengthen security further.”

Hossain said Bangladesh is still relying on the host country to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of its diplomatic mission.

He, however, warned that Dhaka may reduce its diplomatic presence in India, if required.

Hossain said Bangladesh had heard reports that the High Commissioner was threatened with death, though no concrete evidence is currently available. “It was not a matter of a few slogans. A family lives inside the mission. The security situation was clearly inadequate.”

When asked whether Bangladesh would summon the Indian envoy over the issue, Hossain responded, “No, what we will do, leave it to us. We are taking our own measures.”

Referring to claims that the protest involved only 20–25 people, Hossain said the number was irrelevant. “The question is how such a group - believed to be linked to a Hindu extremist organization - was able to reach so deep inside the diplomatic zone. They should not have been allowed to come there at all.”

The Adviser said they are still relying on the host country, hoping that the host country will take necessary steps on the security front but if necessary, Dhaka will shrink its diplomatic presence in India.

Regarding the killing of Bangladeshi citizen Dipu Chandra Das, Hossain said the incident should not be conflated with the security of minorities.

“He was a Bangladeshi citizen who was killed, and Bangladesh took immediate action. Several arrests have already been made,” he said, pointing out that such incidents occur across the region and that every country has a responsibility to respond appropriately.

“Bangladesh is taking the necessary measures, just as other countries should,” he added.

Official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said there was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time.

India is committed to ensuring the safety of foreign missions/posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention, Jaiswal said in response to media queries in New Delhi regarding the demonstration.

He said the police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes.

Jaiswal said visual evidence of these events is available for all to see.

No Breach Attempt: India

"India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh," he said, adding that their officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them their strong concerns over the attacks on the minorities.

Jaiswal said they have noted misleading propaganda in sections of Bangladesh media on the incident.

"The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh," he said.

Jaiswal said they have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice.