The Ministry of External Affairs, expressing concern over statements that portrayed India “negatively,” summoned Bangladesh's Acting High Commissioner on Friday. It conveyed that the remarks linked to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which triggered violence in Dhaka, were made in “her individual capacity” and that Delhi had “no role to play” in the matter.

MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Bangladesh's envoy, Md. Nural Islam was informed that linking Hasina’s remarks to the Indian government's stance would not contribute positively to bilateral relations.

“It was conveyed that India desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh… It is, however, regrettable that regular statements made by Bangladesh authorities continue to portray India negatively, holding us responsible for internal governance issues. These statements by Bangladesh are, in fact, responsible for the persistent negativity,” Jaiswal communicated.

This action followed a day after Dhaka formally protested to India’s acting envoy, urging New Delhi to prevent Hasina from making “false and fabricated comments.” Bangladesh described the former Prime Minister’s remarks, made while she was in India, as a “hostile act.”

During an online speech on Wednesday, she urged her supporters to resist the interim government, alleging that it had taken power through unconstitutional means. This call to action resulted in violence in Dhaka on Thursday, where a mob set fire to the house of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh known as “Bongo Bondhu”. Earlier, India had denounced the incident, calling it an “act of vandalism.”