India says ‘not our soil’: MEA rejects Bangladesh charge as Dhaka summons Indian envoy

New Delhi responds after Dhaka summons Indian envoy over Sheikh Hasina’s statements, as Bangladesh heads into first election since August upheaval

India on Sunday rejected Bangladesh’s claim that its territory was being used for activities hostile to Dhaka, hours after the Bangladeshi foreign ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s statements made from India.

“India categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim government of Bangladesh,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, responding to a press note issued by Dhaka earlier in the day.

India categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh in its press note dated 14 December 2025. We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful… pic.twitter.com/coMKUqr53R

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025

The MEA said India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of “the friendly people of Bangladesh” and reiterated its support for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in the neighbouring country.

What triggered the diplomatic exchange

According to a readout released by Bangladesh’s foreign ministry, Dhaka raised concerns over what it described as 'incendiary' statements made by Hasina from Indian soil and flagged the activities of some members of the Awami League currently staying in India.

Hasina, 78, has been living in India since August 5 last year, after fleeing Bangladesh amid mass protests that led to the collapse of her government.

Last month, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced her to death for “crimes against humanity” linked to the violent crackdown on student-led protests in 2024.

India’s message: elections and law and order

In its statement, New Delhi stressed that responsibility for maintaining stability lay with Bangladesh’s interim administration.

“We expect that the interim government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections,” the MEA said.

Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 12. They will be the first general elections since the political upheaval last year and are being closely watched by regional partners.

Awami League rejects polls under interim setup

The Awami League has already rejected the upcoming elections, arguing that the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus lacks neutrality.

“It is impossible to ensure a fair and normal environment where transparency, neutrality, and the people’s will can be reflected,” the party said in a statement last week.

The Yunus-led administration has maintained that it will proceed with the polls, despite the opposition boycott.