India's responsibility towards Bangladeshi diplomats, their families

'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' applies to diplomacy well. India's recent experience in Canada with Sikh separatism-hollerers has made New Delhi freshly conversant with the perils that diplomats are often confronted with, and the critical role the host country plays in ensuring their safety.

That learning will come in handy as GoI deals with the unfortunate turn of events that protests in front of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala snowballed into.

MEA, quite rightly, was quick to respond, assuring that every measure was being taken to ensure the safety of the Bangladeshi diplomats, their families and non-diplomatic staff. These are especially tricky times where anything can be interpreted as more than 'just something'.


Bangladesh, however, has already raised the alarm, citing the Vienna Convention, and with claims that local police personnel were not responsive - things that India is well conversant with, especially of late.

The particulars of the Tripura case must be investigated and addressed. But, more importantly, GoI needs to ensure the safety and security of diplomats, their families and other mission staff. It cannot forbid protests, or stop private citizens from raising their voice against the discriminatory treatment being meted out to Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

Protests are part and parcel of democratic societies. But, for GoI, ensuring that Bangladeshi diplomats and personnel do not come to harm is non-negotiable.

This means practical measures to beef up security, higher police presence, and holding those found deviating from the peaceful norm accountable. India must demonstrate that it's capable of providing at home for others what it demands from others abroad.