Family members of Indian diplomats are returning to the country from Bangladesh

The Government of India is repatriating the family members of the diplomats working in the Indian High Commission and Assistant High Commissions posted in Bangladesh as a precautionary measure considering the context of the existing security situation.

The Indian news agency 'PTI' and the newspaper 'The Statesman' reported that New Delhi took this decision on Tuesday (January 16), quoting multiple sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India.

“However, Indian High Commissions and Assistant High Commissions in Bangladesh will remain open and continue to function fully,” The Statesman wrote.

The news quoted sources in New Delhi as saying, “Considering the current deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh, the family members of all Indian diplomats working there will have to return to India. This decision has been taken after a detailed assessment of the overall situation in the country.”

The Statesman quoted Indian government sources as saying, “Dependents of our officials working at the High Commission and other centers have been advised to return to India as a precautionary measure in view of the security situation.”

New Delhi took this decision a few weeks before the parliamentary elections were held in Bangladesh.

Indian High Commission is in Dhaka. There are Indian Assistant High Commissions in Khulna, Rajshahi, Chittagong and Sylhet. India is taking family members of its diplomats and other officials from everywhere.

The Statesman wrote, after massive protests in Bangladesh last month and the brutal killing of factory worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh district, the Indian government summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riyaz Hamidullah to New Delhi on two occasions. At this time, India's deep concern about the growing unrest in Bangladesh was conveyed to him. His attention was also drawn to the activities of some extremist groups who have declared creating a security crisis around the Indian mission in Dhaka in particular.

PTI wrote, India has always rejected the misleading and baseless propaganda being spread by the extremists about some recent incidents in Bangladesh. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described it as 'unfortunate' that the interim government had not properly investigated these incidents and had not shared adequate and meaningful information with India.

A report by the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus said that in 2025, there were a total of 645 incidents that affected the overall law and order situation of the minority community and the country.

PTI says New Delhi has decided to declare Bangladesh a 'non-family' posting for diplomats due to security concerns.