New Delhi, Feb. 7 -- The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladeshi envoy Mohammed Nurul Islam on Friday evening amid controversy over statements made by Sheikh Hasina. The development came hours after Bangladesh objected to a recent speech by the ousted leader - asking New Delhi to stop her from making "fabricated" comments.

A statement by the Ministry of External Affairs insisted that Sheikh Hasina had made her comments as an individual. It also said that conflating her speech with India's position would not help ties between the two nations. The MEA also reiterated its desire to maintain a "positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh" in the missive.

"It is, however, regrettable that regular sta...