Diplomatic Correspondent

The foreign ministry has summoned India's top diplomat in Dhaka over the statements made by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina from Delhi, branding them as "false and provocative”.

Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain confirmed the handover of the protest letter to the acting Indian high commissioner in Dhaka on Thursday.

At a media briefing at the foreign ministry, he said: “We have requested India in writing to restrain Sheikh Hasina from making such statements. It's going against Bangladesh. We have yet to receive an answer.

"Because of her activities for a few days, we have handed over a letter of protest again today. The high commissioner is unavailable at the moment, the protest letter has been handed to the acting Indian high commissioner asking them to stop her.”

Explaining the reason for lodging the protest, the foreign advisor said: “These statements by her are primarily false. We have mentioned that these are instigating instability in Bangladesh.”

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry said in a statement that the current head of the Indian mission in Dhaka was called in.

The ministry said the Bangladesh government had lodged a “strong protest” against the “false and fabricated” statements made by Hasina.

Stating the “deep concern, disappointment, and serious reservation” expressed in the letter, the ministry said such statements are “hurting the sentiments of the people in Bangladesh”.

“The ministry also emphasised that such activities by her are considered as a hostile act towards Bangladesh and are not conducive to the efforts at establishing a healthy relationship between the two countries.”

The statement read: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the Indian government to immediately take appropriate measures, in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, to stop her from making such false, fabricated and incendiary statements using social media and other communications while she is in India.