India plans to relocate families of diplomats from Bangladesh citing 'safety risks': report

The Hindustan Times describes a “non-family” posting as one of the most stringent security measures for Indian diplomats

India has reportedly decided to make Bangladesh a “non-family” posting for its diplomats, advising the families of officials stationed in the country to return home citing security concerns.

The Hindustan Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, said all five Indian missions in Bangladesh would continue to function at full strength despite the move, which it described as a precautionary step.

The Delhi-based English daily, citing unnamed sources, said the decision was inevitable in view of what it said “growing concerns about the safety of diplomats and their families, particularly due to threats from extremist and radical elements”.

“As a precautionary measure, we have advised the dependents of officials at the high commission and four assistant high commissions to return to India,” one source was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka and the assistant high commissions in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet will remain open and fully operational, the report added.

It remains unclear when dependants will return, with sources declining to disclose the number of Indian diplomats stationed in Bangladesh, citing security sensitivities.

The newspaper described a “non-family” posting as among the strictest security measures applied to Indian missions abroad.

It noted Pakistan, with which India’s relations are at an all-time low, is currently a “no children” posting, with spouses allowed to join officials, the report added.

Besides threats from “radical and extremist elements”, the report said “the freedom provided to Pakistani elements by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus” also contributed to the concerns.

Dhaka and Delhi have traded accusations and seen public protests since the Awami League government was toppled on Aug 5, 2024.

Diplomatic missions of both countries were targeted, with attacks and vandalism reported at Indian diplomatic missions in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi diplomatic posts in India, souring relations in recent months.

Relations deteriorated to the point that some visa services were suspended. Tensions escalated after attacks on minorities, particularly in Bangladesh, with both countries trading scathing remarks in public forums.

Both countries summoned each other’s high commissioners multiple times over a range of diplomatic issues.

Senior Indian leaders’ visits and condolence messages after the death of Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, have been seen as signalling a sudden thaw in Dhaka‑Delhi relations.