In a significant diplomatic move, Bangladesh's interim government has directed its key diplomatic missions in India to temporarily suspend most visa services. The decision, attributed to security concerns, comes at a sensitive time as Bangladesh prepares for its general elections scheduled for February 12.
Technical Pause for Non-Essential Travel
The government in Dhaka has described this step as a "technical pause" aimed primarily at Indian nationals planning non-essential travel. The objective is to preempt any potential security issues for Indian citizens visiting Bangladesh amidst a period of strained bilateral relations. However, the suspension is not absolute. Business and work visas, along with visas for urgent travel or emergencies, will continue to be processed and remain outside the purview of this restriction.
Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser, M Touhid Hossain, confirmed the development on Thursday, stating, "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." The missions specifically affected include the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and the Deputy High Commissions in Kolkata and Agartala.
Previous Suspensions and Escalating Tensions
This is not the first recent interruption in visa services. Notably, on December 23, 2023, consular and visa services at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi were halted citing "unavoidable circumstances." A notice from the Mission at the time expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
The current decision follows a period of heightened tensions between the two neighbours. The situation escalated in December 2023 following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the July 2024 uprising in Dhaka. Hadi died on December 18, days after being shot. The incident triggered protests on both sides of the border, leading Delhi and Dhaka to summon each other's envoys earlier this week to register their concerns.
This visa suspension also mirrors a similar action taken by India earlier. After August 5, 2024, India had imposed restrictions on visas for Bangladeshi nationals, also citing security concerns.
Diplomatic Engagements Amidst the Strain
Interestingly, the visa pause unfolds against a backdrop of continued high-level diplomatic engagements. On December 31, India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, met with Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Jaishankar is reported to have expressed confidence that the vision of Rahman's mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, would guide the partnership between the two countries. Jaishankar was among the foreign dignitaries who attended Khaleda Zia's funeral after her death on December 30 following a prolonged illness.
Furthermore, on January 1, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to convey condolences on behalf of the Indian government.
It is important to note that not all Bangladeshi missions in India are affected. The diplomatic missions in Mumbai and Chennai continue to operate their visa services normally. The interim government in Dhaka has emphasized that the measure is temporary and driven by precautionary security considerations during a politically sensitive domestic period.
