Amid escalating diplomatic tensions and growing security concerns, India has suspended visa services at its Visa Application Centre in Dhaka following hostile statements by radical elements targeting India’s territorial integrity. New Delhi also summoned Bangladesh’s envoy to convey serious concerns, as anti-India rhetoric rises and the interim government under Muhammad Yunus seeks closer ties with Pakistan.
India on Wednesday suspended operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka due to heightened security concerns triggered by threats from extremist groups and controversial statements by Bangladeshi leaders. The Jamuna Future Park centre halted services at 2 pm, with scheduled applicants to be given new appointment dates.
Earlier on the day, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, and expressed serious concern over the worsening security situation in Bangladesh. The MEA high
MEA Slams Extremist Narrative on Bangladesh, Flags Lack of Probe and Evidence
The MEA stated that India expects the interim government to uphold its diplomatic responsibilities by ensuring the safety of all Missions and Posts in Bangladesh, while also conveying deep concern over security threats to the Indian High Commission.
India has dismissed the narrative propagated by extremist elements on recent developments in Bangladesh as baseless, the MEA said, noting that the interim government has not conducted a comprehensive probe or shared credible evidence with New Delhi.
India-Bangladesh Ties Strained After Threats to Northeast and Extradition Demand
The Bangladeshi envoy was summoned a day after a senior political leader in Bangladesh issued a provocative warning against India. On Monday, National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah said that if Bangladesh were destabilised, his country would attempt to isolate India’s northeastern “Seven Sisters” states and offer shelter to separatist elements, warning at a rally that unrest would spread beyond national borders.
In a separate development, Bangladesh summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, seeking cooperation in an ongoing case and once again pressing for the swift extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina was sentenced to death last month for crimes against humanity linked to last year’s unrest, which reportedly claimed more than 500 lives.
India Suspends Dhaka IVAC After Threats to High Commission
Amid worsening security conditions and a surge in radical, anti-India rhetoric questioning the country’s territorial sovereignty, India has shut the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka. The decision followed hours after New Delhi summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to formally register strong objections over threats directed at the Indian High Commission and inflammatory remarks made by Bangladeshi political figures.
The Visa Application Centre announced that due to the prevailing security situation, the IVAC at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka would cease operations at 2 pm. It added that all applicants scheduled to submit their documents on the day would be allotted new appointment dates at a later time.
India operates 16 visa application centres across Bangladesh, which together handle around 22 lakh visa applications annually. The State Bank of India remains the sole authorised body responsible for accepting Indian visa applications in the country.
Agar chaho toh main shortened version, headline-style rewrite, ya international media tone mein bhi bana deta hoon.
India Calls In Bangladesh’s Envoy
The Foreign Ministry said the Bangladeshi envoy was summoned to specifically highlight the actions of certain extremist groups that have openly declared their intent to create security challenges around the Indian Mission in Dhaka.
In its statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said India firmly dismisses the misleading narrative being promoted by extremist elements over recent developments in Bangladesh, adding that it is regrettable the interim government has not carried out a comprehensive inquiry or provided substantive evidence to India concerning the incidents
India maintains close and friendly ties with the people of Bangladesh, built on the shared history of the liberation movement and further strengthened through development projects and people-to-people exchanges. New Delhi supports peace and stability in Bangladesh and has consistently advocated for free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections held in a calm and peaceful environment.
The statement added that India expects the interim government to uphold its diplomatic responsibilities by ensuring the security of all missions and diplomatic posts in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Leaders’ Anti-India Comments
Over the past few days, anti-India forces in Bangladesh have been making provocative statements regarding India’s northeastern states, while the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus seeks closer ties with Pakistan, potentially undermining long-standing relations with India. These groups have also used the attack on student leader Sharif Osman Hadi to target India politically.
Earlier this week, National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah warned that Dhaka could provide shelter to groups hostile to India and attempt to isolate the country’s northeastern “Seven Sisters” states. Speaking at a rally organised by Inqilab Mancha against those involved in Hadi’s attack, Abdullah claimed—without evidence—that the accused were being supported by India.
India has firmly rejected these allegations, stating that it has never allowed its territory to be used for actions harmful to the interests of Bangladesh’s people. Separately, Dhaka has summoned the Indian High Commissioner, Pranay Verma, to discuss the matter.