Bangladesh has further restricted the issuance of visas for Indian nationals, extending the curbs to its Deputy High Commissions in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
The Bangladeshi foreign ministry confirmed the decision on Wednesday, and the restrictions came into effect on Thursday. Under the latest measures, all categories of visas except business and employment visas have been suspended.
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain was quoted by PTI as saying that Dhaka had asked three of its missions in India to keep their visa sections closed, citing security concerns. He did not specify which missions he was referring to.
On December 22, Bangladesh temporarily suspended visa issuance and consular services at its High Commission in New Delhi, the Assistant High Commission in Agartala, and the visa centre in Siliguri. Consular services were also halted at the mission in Guwahati.
India had imposed restrictions on visas for Bangladeshi nationals after August 5, 2024, citing security concerns following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after weeks of student-led protests against her Awami League government.
The relations between India and Bangladesh have further strained in recent weeks amid unrest following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi on December 18. Hadi had been a prominent figure in the July 2024 protests that led to the ouster of the Hasina government.
His death triggered protests, vandalism and attacks in Bangladesh. Several attacks on minority communities have also been reported in Bangladesh which led to demonstrations in India as well.
In December, New Delhi and Dhaka had summoned each other’s envoys to convey concerns over the situation.
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