Bangladesh suspends visa services at key missions in India citing security concerns | – The Times of India

Bangladesh’s interim government has directed several of its diplomatic missions in India to temporarily suspend visa services, citing security concerns, amid continuing strain in bilateral relations with New Delhi. The decision was confirmed on Thursday by M Touhid Hossain, who addressed a media briefing at his office in Dhaka, as PTI reported. Hossain said he had instructed Bangladesh’s three key missions in India to keep their visa sections closed for the time being. “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,” he said. The suspension applies to missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala. The announcement followed an overnight move by Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata to restrict visa services, mirroring earlier steps taken in New Delhi and Agartala. While general visa services have been suspended at these locations, business and work visas have been kept outside the scope of the restriction. Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions in Mumbai and Chennai continue to operate their visa services as usual.

The most recent actions take place in the midst of a critical period in relations between Bangladesh and India. Citing security concerns, India had already placed limits on visas for citizens of Bangladesh beyond August 5, 2024. Since previous prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government were overthrown in July and August 2024 as a result of violent, student-led public movements, diplomatic relations between the two neighbors have remained tense. Read more: “Having no visa application is better than having a rejection”: Inside a US B1/B2 refusal in MumbaiIn addition to the India-related developments, Hossain also addressed concerns over a newly imposed visa bond requirement by the United States, which Bangladesh is seeking to have reversed. Describing the measure as “certainly unfortunate and painful for us,” the foreign affairs adviser said Dhaka would pursue diplomatic channels to seek an exemption. At the same time, Hossain noted that the US decision was not abnormal, pointing out that the policy was not directed at Bangladesh alone. According to him, several countries are facing similar immigration-related challenges as part of broader measures introduced by the US administration. He did not provide details on the bond requirement or a timeline for possible discussions with Washington. Read more: “I did not feel safe”: Indian woman recounts her experience after being denied entry in Russia despite having a valid e-visaThe developments are in line with the increasingly complex diplomatic environment Bangladesh is facing, with visa and immigration issues emerging as sensitive pressure points both regionally and globally. The suspension of visa services in key Indian cities is likely to affect travellers and applicants on both sides, though the government has so far limited the scope of restrictions to certain categories. There is no clarity yet on how long the restrictions will remain in place, though Bangladeshi authorities have maintained that India’s suspension of visas is a temporary step driven by security concerns. Coming amid recent political unrest at home and shifting security and immigration policies abroad, the move reflects a wider sense of uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s external relations, even as diplomatic channels between the two countries remain open.