Bangladesh Halts Visa Services in India over Security Fears as Ties Further Fray
Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered the suspension of visa services at its key diplomatic missions in India, including the High Commission in New Delhi, citing security concerns—a move that highlights the continuing strain in relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain said during a media briefing at his office on Thursday that he had instructed Bangladesh’s three missions in India to temporarily close their visa sections. The Star reported the remarks on Friday.
“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,” Hossain said.
His comments followed the overnight restriction of visa services by Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, mirroring earlier steps taken by missions in New Delhi and Agartala. Business and work visas, however, were excluded from the suspension.
Bangladesh also operates diplomatic missions in Mumbai and Chennai, where visa services continue uninterrupted.
India had earlier imposed restrictions on visas for Bangladeshi nationals after August 5, 2024, also citing security concerns.
Relations between the two countries have remained tense since the Awami League government led by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted amid violent, student-led protests in July and August 2024.
Ties were further strained after Bangladesh declined to send its national cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, again citing “security concerns.” The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) subsequently requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches outside India.
In a detailed letter to the ICC, the BCB said the concerns extended beyond player safety to include visa access for media personnel, fans, and other stakeholders, adding that the request reflected the government’s position.
Cricket venues became a point of contention after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from an Indian Premier League (IPL) squad amid worsening diplomatic ties, although no official explanation was given. Following the episode, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL domestically, and the BCB formally informed the ICC that it would not play its T20 World Cup matches in India.
