Muhammad Yunus-Led Government Dismisses 2 Bangladeshi Diplomats in India

New Delhi: In the latest development following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh government and the formation of interim government in Dhaka, two Bangladeshi diplomats posted at the High Commission in India have been relieved of their duties.

The order came into effect on August 17 as per the order of the caretaker government in Dhaka led by Nobel-laureate Muhammad Yunus .

Shaban Mahmud, First Secretary (Press) and Ranjan Sen, also a First Secretary (Press) were asked to leave their posts before the termination of their tenure.

Shaban Mahmud, who was posted at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, was asked to retire voluntarily before the termination of his contract.

While Sen, who was posted at the Bangladeshi consulate in Kolkata, was relieved of his  charges on Saturday. His contractual tenure would have otherwise lasted until 2026. He had been re-appointed by the erstwhile Sheikh Hasina government and may take some time before returning to Dhaka.

This development comes amid tensions between India and Bangladesh following the downfall of the Sheikh Hasina government. 

Earlier this month, India pulled out "non-essential" staff and the families of diplomats at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka amid rising concerns over violence in the neighbouring country.

The 15-year reign of Sheikh Hasina ended as she was forced to resign as Prime Minister of Bangladesh after facing a mass student-led uprising. She fled the country for India on August 5. She has been in India for nearly three weeks. Former Bangladesh PM's future remains uncertain as she faces the possibility of extradition due to the revocation of her diplomatic passport by the caretaker government in Dhaka.