- Bangladesh, India face strain in diplomatic relations since Hasina’s ouster.
- Hossain heads 3 missions in India to close their visa sections.
- Bangladesh Deputy Director General in Kolkata restricts visa services.
Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered its key diplomatic missions in India, including the High Commission in New Delhi, to suspend visa services, citing security concerns, a move that underscores the continuing strain in Dhaka’s relationship with New Delhi.
Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain said at 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 Daily reported Friday.
“What I have done is that I have asked our three missions [in India] to keep their visa section closed until further notice. It is a security issue,” said Hossain.
The remarks came after Bangladesh’s deputy high commission in Kolkata restricted visa services overnight, following similar steps taken earlier by missions in New Delhi and Agartala. However, business and work visas were kept outside the scope of the restriction.
Bangladesh also has diplomatic missions in Mumbai and Chennai, where visa services continued to function.
India had earlier imposed restrictions on visas for Bangladeshi nationals after August 5, 2024, citing security concerns.
Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have been strained since then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government was ousted following violent student-led street protests in July and August 2024.
It may be noted that Dhaka-Delhi ties were further strained after the former refused to send its national cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 citing “security concerns”.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move Bangladesh matches outside India.
In its detailed letter to the ICC, the Bangladesh board also noted that the fears were not limited to the players but the provision of visas to media officials, fans and other stakeholders is also part of the concerns. BCB also cited the government’s position on the issue.
The venues became moot after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) squad due to deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries, although no official reason was given.
Following the incident, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcasting of the IPL in the country and the BCB formally wrote to the ICC that it would not play its T20 World Cup matches in India.
