The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has announced a temporary suspension of all visa and consular services, citing unavoidable circumstances. A notice displayed outside the diplomatic mission states that these services will remain halted until further notice. This development adds a new layer to the ongoing diplomatic and security tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Reciprocal Visa Suspensions and Security Concerns
This move by the Bangladesh mission comes just days after India temporarily shut its visa application centre in Chattogram, Bangladesh's second-largest port city. The Indian decision followed protests by scores of demonstrators outside the Assistant High Commission of India there. Earlier in the same week, India had also suspended visa services in several other Bangladeshi cities, citing security concerns.
The backdrop to these tit-for-tat administrative actions is a period of heightened unrest in Bangladesh. The situation escalated following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to gunshot injuries from an assassination attempt earlier this month. His death triggered widespread protests across Bangladesh, some of which reportedly took on an anti-India tone, further straining the bilateral environment.
Protests in Delhi and India's Official Response
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, a separate protest unfolded outside the Bangladesh High Commission. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed this event, rejecting Bangladeshi media reports that described it as an attempt to create a security situation.
The MEA clarified that around 20–25 youths gathered outside the High Commission on a Saturday. They were protesting the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district and demanding protection for minorities. According to the official Indian statement, there was no attempt to breach the mission's premises or its security. Police dispersed the group within minutes, and visual evidence of the incident is publicly available.
New Delhi has urged the interim government in Dhaka to ensure that those responsible for the barbaric killing of Das are brought to justice.
Navigating a Delicate Diplomatic Phase
The simultaneous suspension of key consular services by both nations points to a sensitive moment in India-Bangladesh relations. While the official reasons cite unavoidable circumstances and security, the actions are deeply intertwined with the internal political climate in Bangladesh and concerns over minority safety. The coming days will be crucial in observing how both governments navigate this complex situation to de-escalate tensions and restore normal diplomatic and consular functions.
