The killing of a Hindu man during recent violent protests in Bangladesh has pushed already strained ties between Dhaka and Delhi into a deeper crisis.
As the two neighbours accuse each other of destabilising relations, questions are growing over whether their once close, time-tested relationship is fraying beyond repair.
In India, the episode has sparked protests by Hindu nationalist groups. The man who was killed - Dipu Chandra Das, 27 - a member of Bangladesh's Hindu minority, was accused of blasphemy and beaten to death by a mob last week in Mymensingh, in northern Bangladesh.
The incident happened as violent protests broke out over the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader, in the capital, Dhaka.
Hadi's supporters alleged that the main suspect, who they say is linked to the Awami League - the party of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina - had fled to India, further fuelling anti-India sentiment in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Bangladeshi police, however, said there was no confirmation that the suspect had left the country.
In recent days, the South Asian neighbours have suspended visa services in several cities, including Delhi, and accused each other of failing to ensure adequate security for their diplomatic missions.
Both countries have summoned each other's high commissioners to raise their security concerns.
Riva Ganguly Das, a former Indian high commissioner to Dhaka, expressed hope that tensions wouldn't escalate further on both sides, adding that the volatile situation in Bangladesh complicates the future of their relationship.
Anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh is not new, with many Bangladeshis resenting perceived Indian influence on their internal affairs. This anger has intensified since Hasina took refuge in India, prompting questions about India's role in the region.
The brutal lynching of Das, accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad, fueled anger in India, with videos of the violent act circulating online. Bangladesh's interim government has promised accountability and condemned the violence.
Analysts note that as hardliners gain influence in society, the prospects for minorities in Bangladesh look grim. There's a growing consensus that both Indian and Bangladeshi officials need to engage constructively to prevent further deterioration of relations and public safety in both nations.
With elections in Bangladesh slated for February 12, the interim administration faces significant challenges managing public dissent and violence, especially as hardline politicians may exploit anti-India rhetoric to their advantage.
