Dr. Syed Zaved Mohammad Salehuddin

Recent attacks and vandalism targeting Bangladesh’s High Commission and Deputy High Commission offices in India have drawn significant international attention. This article analyzes how such attacks may serve as part of a broader strategy by extremist groups to foster anti-Bangladesh sentiment. Using theoretical and historical frameworks, it examines how “threat narratives” are constructed for political purposes and emphasizes the need for national awareness.
Introduction
Attacks on diplomatic missions and the dissemination of anti-state rumors pose a serious threat to international relations and national security. The recent incidents targeting Bangladesh’s diplomatic offices in India demonstrate the vulnerability of even established diplomatic protocols. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), host states are obligated to ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel and premises. Violations of this responsibility carry significant legal, moral, and political consequences.
Anti-Bangladesh Narrative
There is clear evidence that some extremist groups in India are actively involved in creating anti-Bangladesh narratives. This constitutes a form of “narrative politics,” in which an external threat is constructed to consolidate domestic political support (Kreps, 2020). In line with this, recent media reports have circulated rumors of alleged defence pacts, strategic alignments, and security risks associated with Bangladesh. While these claims lack factual basis, they can manipulate public perception and reinforce hostility toward Bangladesh.
Historical and International Context
This strategy is not new. Prior to the 2003 Iraq War, the United States and its allies asserted that Iraq possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), which influenced global public opinion despite later being proven false (Jervis, 2010). In South Asia, similar tactics are used through terminology such as “security risk,” “strategic axis,” or “regional instability.” Attacks on Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions reinforce these narratives, undermining bilateral trust and complicating regional diplomacy.
Bangladesh’s Policy
Bangladesh is not part of any military alliance and has never pursued a hostile posture toward any country. Its foreign policy has historically been non-aligned, defensive, and sovereignty-focused (Rashid, 2015). Cooperation with China, Turkey, or other states is limited to professional and technical collaboration without any strategic obligations.
The Need for National Awareness
In this context, national awareness is critical. Citizens must understand that misinformation, orchestrated hostility, and media-driven narratives directly impact national security, foreign policy, and internal stability. Vigilance, critical thinking, and public unity on issues of sovereignty constitute the most effective safeguards.
At the state level, Bangladesh must adopt a measured yet firm stance. Diplomatic protests, engagement through international forums, and dissemination of fact-based information are essential. Escalation should be avoided, but silence would embolden extremist elements. Strategic restraint must be combined with principled firmness.
Conclusion
Bangladesh has no conflict with the people of India. Problems arise when extremist ideologies and short-term political interests distort public discourse and legitimize hostility. The only way to counter this challenge is through an informed citizenry, responsible diplomacy, and truth-based narratives. Fear should not dictate policy; national awareness, restraint, and firmness remain Bangladesh’s most effective tools.
References
Jervis, R. (2010). Why Intelligence Fails: Lessons from the Iranian Revolution and Iraq War. Cornell University Press.
Kreps, S. (2020). Narratives in International Politics: The Role of Threat Construction. International Studies Quarterly, 64(2), 345–359.
Rashid, A. (2015). Bangladesh Foreign Policy: Non-Alignment and Sovereignty. Dhaka University Press.
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961. United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 500, p. 95.

Author: Dr. Syed Zaved Mohammad Salehuddin
Designation: Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh; Political Analyst
Abstract