Veena Sikri, a retired Indian diplomat, expressed concern over the instability in Bangladesh, stating that it is worrying for India. She mentioned that the Indian government is closely monitoring the nearly 4,000-km-long border with Bangladesh due to the violence in the country.

Veena Sikri former Indian High Commissioner

Sikri also hinted at a possible foreign influence in the situation and noted that what started as a student movement against quotas in Bangladesh has now turned into a political protest involving banned groups like Jamaat-e-Islami speaking to the newspaper, Tribune India.

Students Protest turned into Political Coup


Sikri expressed concern about foreign influence in Bangladesh, citing Sheikh Hasina's unfavorable visit to China as evidence. He was surprised by China's lack of proper protocol towards Hasina, speculating that the strong Pakistan-China relationship may have played a role in this behavior.

Sikri mentioned that Sheikh Hasina was initially supportive of the students protesting against the quota issue. However, the movement was disrupted when non-students infiltrated and vandalized a statue of Bangladesh liberation hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is also Hasina's father. Sikri clarified that the true students of Bangladesh are patriotic and played a significant role in the country's liberation war.

Sikri's statement suggests that Jamaat-e-Islami may have significant influence in Bangladesh, leading to speculation about potential involvement from Pakistan and China. He also highlights the importance of stability in Bangladesh for India's security, with the Border Security Force being on high alert due to potential repercussions from any instability in the neighboring country.

Sikri' is the only woman to serve as the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh


Sikri being the first and only woman to serve as the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh. She has had an extensive career in the Indian Foreign Service, joining in 1971 and serving in various roles, including at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and as the High Commissioner of India to Malaysia. She was appointed as High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh in 2003.

Sikri decided to leave her position in the Indian Foreign Service in 2006 when her junior, Shiv Shankar Menon, was chosen as the new Foreign Secretary of India by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Her husband, Rajiv Sikri, who was also in the same batch as her, had already resigned from the service for the same reason. She is now working as a professor at Jamia Millia Islamia.