Bangladesh’s pick of spokespersons in Delhi, Kolkata raise eyebrows

Bangladesh's selection of two journalists known for their criticism of India as spokespersons in its embassies in New Delhi and Kolkata has sparked concern among diplomats. The appointments, announced recently, come amid efforts by both nations to mend their relationship, which has faced strain over the past few years. The two journalists, Saidur Rahman and Umme Marufa, were chosen for the roles at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata respectively. Unlike the typical practice in Indian diplomatic missions, where the spokesperson role is filled by an Indian Foreign Service officer, Bangladesh has historically used political appointments for such positions. Over the past decade, the role in New Delhi has often been occupied by journalists. Rahman, the political editor of the Bengali newspaper Ittefaq, has previously posted content on social media that is viewed as critical of India. His posts include comments questioning India's involvement in Bangladesh's history, particularly regarding the country's independence movement. In a Facebook post in December 2024, he claimed that India played no role in Bangladesh's liberation war and that the nation achieved full freedom from "slavery" to India in August 2024—a reference to the student-led protests that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In February 2025, Rahman also linked India to the 2009 mutiny by members of the Bangladesh Rifles, now known as Border Guard Bangladesh. He further accused India of being responsible for the excesses committed under Hasina's leadership and made an unverified claim that India was involved in the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Marufa, a special correspondent for the television network News24, has expressed support for groups in Bangladesh that are considered extremist by New Delhi. Her social media posts promote narratives that are seen as antagonistic to India's strategic interests, including controversial statements about the northeastern states that share a border with Bangladesh. The choice of these individuals has drawn attention due to their past remarks. The previous spokesperson for the Bangladesh High Commission, Faisal Mahmud, had angered the Indian Ministry of External Affairs with his comments, including discussions on India's internal politics during his tenure on Bangladeshi television. As a result, his contract was terminated by the Bangladesh government in February. Diplomatic observers suggest that the new appointments might reflect the current government's preference for individuals whose perspectives align more closely with its policies. However, the timing of these selections, during a period of renewed diplomatic engagement, has prompted questions about the implications for bilateral relations. The impact of these decisions on future interactions between the two neighboring nations remains uncertain.