Bangladesh has denied Indian assertions of increased activities by the Pakistani intelligence service and the al-Qaida terrorist network on Bangladeshi soil.
A foreign ministry spokesman in Dhaka on Friday voiced outrage over statements by Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Khrishna Advani which he described as totally "baseless and irresponsible."
The Press Trust of India quoted Mr. Advani as saying al-Qaida and Pakistan's military intelligence service (the ISI) had increased their activities in Bangladesh since a new government was installed there after last year's elections.
The Indian official urged the international community to treat the Pakistani intelligence service on a par with the al-Qaida network.
Mr. Advani has accused Bangladesh of providing what he called "covert" support to separatist rebel groups battling Indian troops in India's northeast.