India's primary visa application centre in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, resumed normal operations on Thursday. This comes just a day after it was temporarily shut down following a significant security scare involving anti-India protesters.
Security Scare Leads to Temporary Shutdown
The disruption occurred on Wednesday when a large group of demonstrators marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Bangladesh police intervened and stopped the march, preventing it from reaching the diplomatic mission. The protest prompted immediate security measures, leading to the temporary closure of the visa centre located at Jamuna Future Park.
"The Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka is now operational and functioning normally," confirmed an official from the IVAC. The swift reopening indicates a stabilization of the immediate security situation in the capital's diplomatic zone.
Ongoing Concerns Keep Regional Centres Closed
While the situation in Dhaka has calmed, security concerns persist in other parts of Bangladesh. As a precautionary measure, the Indian Visa Application Centres in Khulna and Rajshahi remain closed.
The IVAC issued a formal notice on its website, stating: "In view of the ongoing security situation, IVAC Rajshahi and Khulna will remain closed today. All applicants with appointments scheduled for today will be allotted fresh slots at a later date." This decision underscores the perceived volatility in these regions.
Currently, out of Bangladesh's five visa centres for India, only the ones in Dhaka and Chattogram are functional. The fifth centre is located in Sylhet.
Diplomatic Channels Activated Over Security
The protest and the resultant security alert triggered a formal diplomatic response from New Delhi. On Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah.
During the meeting, India conveyed its "strong concern" over public announcements by certain extremist elements aimed at creating a security threat around the Indian mission in Dhaka. The MEA emphasized that it expects the interim government in Bangladesh to uphold its diplomatic obligations by ensuring the safety and security of Indian missions and personnel.
The envoy was also apprised of India's "strong concerns about the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh." This high-level demarche highlights the seriousness with which New Delhi views the incident and its implications for diplomatic staff.
The reopening of the Dhaka centre is a positive step, but the continued closure of two regional centres points to an underlying tense environment. The situation remains fluid, with Indian authorities closely monitoring security assessments before restoring full visa service operations across Bangladesh.
