India withdraws families, dependents of diplomats and officials from all missions in Bangladesh

Ahead of the February 12 election and referendum, India has withdrawn all family members and dependents of diplomats and other officials from the High Commission of India and other missions located in Bangladesh, official sources said on Tuesday (January 20, 2026), citing prevailing security situation

A source informed that the evacuation of family members and dependents was carried out “given the security situation, as a precautionary measure”. Indian diplomats, however, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and all Posts in Bangladesh continue to operate in ‘full strength’.

Indian missions have been facing heightened security threat in Bangladesh, especially in the aftermath of the December 12, 2025 shooting of Islamist youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The threats started soon after reports and rumours were circulated suggesting that the shooters of Hadi had fled to India like deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

July Oikya Mancho, a radical student group, on December 17, 2025 had called for a march to the Indian High Commission, prompting India to summon High Commissioner of Bangladesh Riaz Hamidullah. The rally took place later on that day though they were stopped at a considerable distance. India had reminded Bangladesh’s interim government that it was the responsibility of the Government of Bangladesh to ensure safety and security of Indian missions and posts.

Subsequently, on the passing away of Hadi on December 18, a member of Bangladesh’s Hindu community Dipu Chandra Das was lynched and burnt on a street in Mymensingh, which triggered protests in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura, prompting Bangladesh to shut visa services for sometime. In a tit-for-tat move, Bangladesh also called upon India to ensure safety of its missions and posts in India.