Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered its key diplomatic missions in India to temporarily suspend visa services. The decision reflects growing tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain told reporters on Thursday that Bangladesh’s three missions in India would keep their visa sections closed for now. “It’s a security issue,” Hossain said. The affected missions include the High Commission in New Delhi and the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. Business and work visas, however, remain unaffected.
Visa services continue at Bangladesh’s other Indian missions in Mumbai and Chennai. The move follows earlier restrictions imposed by India on visas for Bangladeshi nationals after August 5, 2024, citing security concerns.
The diplomatic strain comes after the Awami League government, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was removed following violent, student-led protests in July and August 2024. Relations worsened when Bangladesh refused to send its national cricket team to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 due to safety concerns.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches outside India. In its letter, the BCB stated that security concerns extended beyond players to media officials, fans, and other stakeholders.
Tensions also escalated after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) squad, although no official explanation was provided. Following this, the Bangladesh government banned IPL broadcasts in the country. The BCB confirmed to the ICC that Bangladesh would not play its T20 World Cup matches in India.
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This latest move by Bangladesh highlights the fragile state of Dhaka-Delhi relations. Officials say the visa suspension is temporary, but it underlines ongoing concerns over security and diplomacy between the two neighboring countries.
