Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned India’s envoy to protest incidents near its diplomatic missions in India, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and the visa centre in Siliguri endangered diplomatic staff. Protests by groups including the Vishva Hindu Parishad led police to use crowd-control measures after barricades were breached. Dhaka condemned what it called acts of intimidation against diplomatic establishments. The move comes amid strained ties linked to unrest in Bangladesh and the exile of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in India. Bangladesh has suspended visa services at some missions, citing safety concerns. (PC: India Today)

Winston Peters has criticised the India–New Zealand free trade agreement, calling it “neither free nor fair”. He said his party, New Zealand First, will oppose the deal in Parliament. Peters said the pact excludes key dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter, despite dairy being a major export. He added that New Zealand would open its market to Indian goods without similar access for dairy exports. Peters also raised concerns over immigration concessions linked to the deal. He said he conveyed his party’s position to S Jaishankar. (PC: NDTV)

London-based singer Charles Antony, who flew to India to perform a special Spanish song for Lionel Messi at Kolkata's December 13 event, "ran to save my life" amid chaos at Salt Lake Stadium. Positioned near galleries, Antony witnessed water bottles, stones, and metal objects hurled at Messi, Suárez, and De Paul as angry fans who paid ₹4,000-₹20,000 rioted after barely glimpsing their idol. With his access tag making him a target, police advised fleeing to safety as crowds stormed the ground. Antony grabbed equipment and ran to his hotel, later relocating for safety. Unlike 2016's well-managed Maradona event, this descended into "mobocracy," leaving fans from Meghalaya, Assam, and Bengaluru heartbroken. (PC: PTI)

Bangladesh summoned India's envoy Tuesday over security concerns at Bangladeshi missions in New Delhi and Siliguri, where massive protests erupted following Hindu worker Dipu Chandra Das's mob lynching. Bangladesh condemned "premeditated violence" against diplomatic establishments as VHP protesters breached barricades in Delhi, prompting police lathi-charge. Ties deteriorated after India summoned Bangladesh's envoy last week over National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah's inflammatory speech threatening to shelter Indian separatists and sever seven northeastern states. Bangladesh suspended visa operations in Delhi, Siliguri, and Tripura citing security concerns. India dismissed "misleading propaganda" about protests, stating demonstrations were brief and posed no security threat. Tensions escalated following Sheikh Hasina's exile in Delhi.

Large-scale protests erupted across West Bengal including Kolkata and Siliguri after Bangladeshi Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was lynched on December 18 over false blasphemy allegations. Hindu Jagran Manch and VHP staged demonstrations outside Bangladesh Visa Application Centre, while BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari led 2,000 protesters threatening to return with 10,000 people on December 26. Bangladesh suspended visa services indefinitely at missions in New Delhi, Tripura, and Siliguri citing security concerns. India summoned Bangladesh's envoy, formally objecting to minority attacks and diplomatic threats. Investigators found blasphemy claims baseless, suspecting workplace disputes triggered the incident. Police arrested 12 people, including factory supervisors, for forcing Das out instead of contacting authorities.

Massive protests erupted outside Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi following the mob lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Led by Vishva Hindu Parishad and other Hindu organizations, demonstrators condemned atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Delhi Police deployed heavy security with three barricade layers along San Martín Marg and stationed paramilitary personnel around the diplomatic enclave. Protesters breached the first barricade before being stopped at the second, where police placed a DTC bus to block further movement. Demonstrators raised slogans like "Yunus sarkar, hosh mein aao," chanted Hanuman Chalisa, and burned effigies. VHP leaders repeatedly urged protesters to maintain discipline and comply with law-and-order requirements.

The US Embassy announced expanded online presence reviews for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants globally, effective December 15, as part of standard screening procedures. This enhanced vetting targets program abuse while permitting companies to hire qualified foreign workers. Thousands of pre-scheduled visa interviews in India are being postponed by several months, with December 15 appointments rescheduled to March and December 19 slots moved to late May. Indian professionals, forming the largest H-1B holder group, face significant delays. Many applicants already in India cannot return to the US without valid visas. The Embassy urges early applications and warns of additional processing times, emphasizing that US visas are "a privilege, not a right." (PC: NDTV)

Sarod maestro Shiraz Ali Khan, who traveled to Bangladesh for four concerts, was forced to flee by hiding his Indian identity. Arriving on December 16, he noticed sparse audiences and deteriorating conditions. At a Gulshan checkpoint, police stopped him for verification. Following advice from hotel staff and locals, he avoided carrying his passport, spoke in local Bangla instead of Kolkata Bangla, and emphasized his Muslim surname "Khan" for protection. After hearing about the Chhayanaut incident, he attempted contacting the closed Indian Embassy before managing to escape. His mother and tabla player remained behind. Khan warns no Indian is currently safe in Bangladesh due to overwhelming anti-India sentiment, advising against travel until conditions improve. (PC: X)

Unrest in Bangladesh has led to a diplomatic exchange with India and protests in Kolkata. Bangladesh suspended visa services at its missions in New Delhi, Tripura, and Siliguri after demonstrations near diplomatic premises. India summoned Bangladesh’s envoy and raised concerns over attacks on minorities and diplomatic sites. In Kolkata, protesters gathered outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission over the killing of Hindu worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh. Police in Bangladesh said the lynching followed unverified blasphemy claims and involved factory colleagues. At least 12 people have been arrested. Separately, protests intensified in Bangladesh after the killing of youth leader Osman Hadi, with media offices attacked and minority groups staging demonstrations.

A Sikh religious procession in New Zealand was halted after a far-right group blocked its route in Auckland. The Nagar Kirtan, organised by a local Sikh gurdwara, had official permission from authorities. Protesters linked to the group True Patriots of New Zealand stood in front of the procession and performed a haka. They held banners with anti-immigrant messages and chanted religious slogans. Police stayed at the scene and stopped the situation from turning violent. Sikh participants remained calm during the disruption. Community leaders in India and New Zealand condemned the incident and urged authorities to protect religious freedom. The episode has renewed concerns about racism and minority safety in the country.