Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday said it has asked its key diplomatic missions in India, including New Delhi, to suspend visa services temporarily, citing security concerns.
Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain told a media briefing at his office that visa sections at three Bangladeshi missions in India had been ordered to remain closed. “What I have done is that I have asked our three missions (in India) to keep their visa sections closed for the time being. It’s a security issue,” Hossain said.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have remained strained in recent months following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who later took refuge in India.
The latest move comes against the backdrop of escalating diplomatic and security tensions. Earlier this week, India shut down two visa application centres in Bangladesh’s Khulna and Rajshahi, citing the prevailing security situation and a spate of anti-India protests. A day later, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi announced the suspension of visa and consular services.
Most visa categories suspended
Under the new measures, Bangladesh has suspended all visa categories for Indian applicants except business and employment visas. According to a report by Dhaka Tribune, consular and visa services have been completely halted at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. Tourist visas and several other categories have also been stopped at the missions in Mumbai and Chennai.
An official at the Kolkata mission told the newspaper that the decision was taken on instructions from higher authorities and confirmed that only business and employment visas are currently being processed.
Security concerns cited
The Bangladeshi foreign ministry said the fresh restrictions were introduced due to security concerns linked to ongoing tensions between the two neighbours. Officials described the move as part of a broader review of diplomatic and consular operations in light of the evolving situation.
No timeline has been provided for the restoration of normal visa and consular services, leaving uncertainty for Indian travellers planning visits to Bangladesh in the near term.
Extension of earlier curbs
The expanded restrictions follow an earlier round of curbs imposed on December 22. At that time, Bangladesh suspended visa issuance and consular services at its High Commission in New Delhi, the Assistant High Commission in Agartala in Tripura and the visa centre in Siliguri. Consular services were also halted at the Bangladesh mission in Guwahati, Assam.
With the latest extension, the issuance of Bangladeshi visas for Indian nationals is now restricted to a limited number of categories and locations, significantly narrowing travel options.