ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh has suspended visa services for Indian citizensacross several key diplomatic missions in India, including New Delhi,Mumbai, Guwahati, and Chennai, marking a significant escalation inbilateral tensions. The decision, announced in early January 2026, followsreciprocal measures and stems from security incidents at diplomaticpremises. This move affects tourist and non-essential visas, withexceptions for business and employment categories, potentially disruptingtravel, trade, and people-to-people contacts between the two neighbours.The interim government in Dhaka attributes the suspension to prevailingsecurity risks amid protests targeting Bangladeshi missions.
The suspension began with the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhihalting all consular and visa services on December 22, 2025, citingunavoidable circumstances linked to protests outside the mission. Thesedemonstrations, involving slogans against alleged atrocities on minoritiesin Bangladesh, prompted Dhaka to prioritize staff and applicant safety. Theaction mirrored India’s earlier suspension of visa operations at the IndianVisa Application Centre in Chittagong following a security incident inDecember 2025, highlighting a cycle of tit-for-tat restrictions that beganafter the political upheaval in Bangladesh in August 2024.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the curbs have since expanded. By January8, 2026, visa services were halted at the Deputy High Commission inKolkata, while tourist and other non-essential visas were suspended atmissions in Mumbai and Chennai. The Assistant High Commission in Guwahatiand Agartala also faced similar limitations, with only business and workvisas remaining operational in select locations. This phased approachreflects Dhaka’s response to reported vandalism and threats at itsfacilities, amid ongoing concerns over minority safety and extremistelements.
The underlying tensions trace back to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s AwamiLeague government in August 2024 following widespread student-led protests.Since then, relations have deteriorated, with India expressing concernsover attacks on minorities, including the lynching of Hindu individualslike Dipu Chandra Das, and security threats to its missions. Bangladesh, inturn, has protested against demonstrations outside its diplomatic outpostsin India, summoning envoys and accusing New Delhi of fostering misleadingnarratives. These events have created a fragile environment where visapolicies serve as instruments of diplomatic pressure.
Data from previous years underscores the potential impact. Prior to the2024 political changes, India issued around 16 lakh visas annually toBangladeshi nationals, facilitating medical tourism, family visits, andtrade. The reciprocal restrictions have drastically reduced such flows,with Indian missions processing limited categories like urgent medical andstudent visas. Bangladesh’s decision to suspend services for Indianpassport holders could further strain economic ties, as thousands ofIndians travel to Bangladesh for business and tourism, while affectedconsulates in Mumbai, Chennai, and Guwahati handle substantial applicationvolumes.
Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain clarified that the suspensions aretemporary and security-driven, not a blanket policy. He emphasized thatdecisions were made to protect staff amid incidents at missions whereproblems arose. This stance comes as Bangladesh prepares for generalelections, adding urgency to maintaining internal stability. Meanwhile,India has kept its missions operational, though with reduced visa issuancefor Bangladeshis, signaling a cautious approach to de-escalation.
The broader implications extend to regional connectivity. Bangladeshoperates six missions in India, including the High Commission in New Delhiand Deputy High Commissions in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai, alongsideAssistant High Commissions in Agartala and Guwahati. The selectivesuspensions disrupt routine travel, potentially affecting cross-bordertrade valued in billions and cultural exchanges. Analysts warn thatprolonged restrictions could exacerbate mistrust, especially as bothnations navigate domestic pressures and external influences.
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Despite the setbacks, limited diplomatic engagements continue. High-levelvisits, including those by Indian officials to Dhaka, suggest efforts tostabilize relations. However, the visa impasse reflects deeper geopoliticalshifts since the interim government under Muhammad Yunus assumed power.Security concerns, mutual accusations, and protests have turned a oncerobust partnership into a cautious one, where visa policies becomebarometers of bilateral health.
As the situation unfolds, questions remain about resumption timelines.Diplomatic sources stress that services will resume once securityassessments confirm stability. Until then, travellers face uncertainty,with business and essential visas offering the only pathway amid thisdiplomatic chill. The episode highlights how internal political transitionscan ripple into international mobility, testing the resilience oflong-standing ties.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1965986/visa-sections-of-3-bangladesh-missions-in-india-closed-on-security-grounds
Tags: Bangladesh, India, Visa Suspension, New Delhi, Muhammad Yunus
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