India has temporarily shut its Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Dhaka after what it described as credible security concerns around the Indian High Commission, amid rising anti-India rhetoric, street protests, and what New Delhi has flagged as threats by extremist elements.
While the visa facility has been closed as a precautionary step, the Indian High Commission itself remains fully operational and continues to provide services to Indian nationals without interruption.
The development marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh, already strained since the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year and the formation of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Visa services suspended, High Commission functioning normally
The Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies (CIHS) strongly condemned what it called an intimidation incident at the Indian High Commission, terming it a “grave security breach” and a “clear violation” of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Emphasising that the safety and security of diplomatic missions are non-negotiable obligations of the host country, CIHS said the closure of the visa centre was a necessary precaution.
The Indian High Commission clarified that its core operations remain unaffected. Indian citizens requiring urgent assistance have been advised to contact the mission through its official website or the 24×7 emergency helpline.
India summons Bangladesh envoy, lodges strong protest
Against what it described as a deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh, India had on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to New Delhi to lodge a formal diplomatic protest. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the envoy was apprised of India’s “serious apprehensions” over threats to the Indian mission and the activities of “some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka”.
In an official statement, the MEA underlined that India expects Bangladesh’s interim government to abide by its diplomatic obligations, including safeguarding all foreign missions and posts.
India also rejected what it termed a “false narrative” being propagated by extremist elements in Bangladesh regarding recent developments, and expressed disappointment that the interim government had neither conducted a comprehensive investigation nor shared substantive evidence with New Delhi.
Protest march halted near Indian mission in Dhaka
Yesterday, the Bangladesh Police stopped a large group of protesters marching towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Anti-India slogans were raised near the diplomatic enclave.
The procession, organised under the banner of “July Oikya” (July Unity), began from Rampura Bridge and was intercepted by police near Hossain Market in North Badda, where the Indian mission is located.
According to local media, protesters broke through an initial barricade before being stopped at a stronger blockade, where they chanted slogans against India and demanded the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and other leaders who fled Bangladesh following last year’s violent student-led “July Uprising”.