In a significant diplomatic development, Bangladesh's interim government has instructed several of its key diplomatic missions in India to temporarily halt routine visa services. The decision, driven by cited security concerns, adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing strain in bilateral relations between the two neighboring nations.
Security Concerns Prompt Visa Section Closures
The directive was officially confirmed on Thursday by M Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh's caretaker government. Addressing a media briefing in Dhaka, Hossain stated that he had asked three crucial 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 explained.
The suspension specifically impacts the Bangladesh missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala. This move followed an overnight decision by the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata to restrict services, aligning with earlier steps taken in the capital and Agartala.
Scope of the Restrictions and Exemptions
While general visa services stand suspended at these three locations, the government has carved out important exemptions. Business and work visas have been kept outside the scope of this restriction, indicating a desire to minimize disruption to economic and professional exchanges. Furthermore, Bangladesh's diplomatic missions in other Indian cities, namely Mumbai and Chennai, continue to operate their visa services as usual.
This action by Dhaka comes against the backdrop of India's own recent visa policy shift concerning Bangladesh. India had already placed limits on visas for Bangladeshi citizens beyond August 5, 2024, citing its own security assessments.
A Broader Context of Diplomatic Strain
The latest visa-related measures unfold during a delicate phase in India-Bangladesh ties. Diplomatic relations have been under pressure since July and August 2024, when widespread, student-led public movements led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government. The political transition in Dhaka has introduced a period of recalibration in its foreign policy, particularly with New Delhi.
During the same briefing, Hossain also addressed another international visa concern. He expressed Dhaka's dismay over a newly imposed visa bond requirement by the United States, which Bangladesh is seeking to have reversed. Describing the US measure as "certainly unfortunate and painful for us," he stated that diplomatic channels would be pursued to seek an exemption. He, however, noted that the policy was not uniquely targeted at Bangladesh.
There is no official clarity on how long the visa suspensions in India will remain in place. Bangladeshi authorities have characterized India's own visa limitations as a temporary step. The reciprocal restrictions highlight how visa and immigration issues have become sensitive pressure points in the region.
The suspension is likely to affect tourists, students, and families traveling between the two countries, though the exemption for business and work categories aims to shield core economic interests. The situation reflects the increasingly complex diplomatic environment Bangladesh navigates, balancing regional dynamics with global immigration trends while managing domestic political unrest.
