India Shuts Visa Centre in Dhaka Amid Security Threats
Decision follows threats to Indian mission and sharp diplomatic protest to Bangladesh
- Indian Visa Application Centre at Jamuna Future Park closed citing security concerns
- Move comes hours after India summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner
- MEA flags extremist threats and anti-India rhetoric targeting sovereignty
- India seeks safety of its missions under diplomatic obligations
GG News Bureau
New Delhi/Dhaka, 17th Dec: Amid a deteriorating security situation and rising targeted hate speeches against India and its territorial sovereignty, India on Wednesday shut the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka.
The decision came hours after India summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to lodge a formal diplomatic protest over threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and inflammatory anti-India remarks by Bangladeshi political leaders.
“In view of the ongoing security situation, we wish to bring to your kind notice that the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka will be closed at 2 PM today,” the visa centre said in a statement. It added that applicants who had appointments scheduled for Wednesday would be given fresh slots at a later date.
India operates 16 visa application centres across Bangladesh, which together process around 22 lakh visa applications annually. The State Bank of India is the sole authorised agency for receiving Indian visa applications in Bangladesh.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Bangladeshi envoy was summoned to specifically flag the activities of extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka. “India completely rejects the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh,” the MEA said, expressing concern that the interim government has neither carried out a thorough investigation nor shared credible evidence with India.
Reiterating India’s position, the ministry said New Delhi shares close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh, rooted in the 1971 Liberation War and strengthened through development cooperation and people-to-people ties. “We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections conducted in a peaceful atmosphere,” it said, while stressing that Dhaka must ensure the safety of diplomatic missions in line with international obligations.
Over the past few days, anti-India elements in Bangladesh have made provocative statements targeting India’s northeastern states, even as the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is seen pushing for closer ties with Pakistan, straining historic relations with India. Such rhetoric has intensified following the attack on student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with extremist groups attempting to link the incident to India.
Earlier this week, National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah claimed that Bangladesh would shelter forces hostile to India and help separate the country’s “Seven Sisters” region. India has categorically rejected these assertions, stating that it has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to Bangladesh’s interests.
Meanwhile, Dhaka has also summoned Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, in connection with the ongoing diplomatic row, underscoring rising tensions between the two neighbours.
