Amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has temporarily suspended consular and visa services on Monday as a retaliatory measure. This development comes after India suspended visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong following a security incident.
Visa services suspended for Indians
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi notified that all consular and visa services have been temporarily suspended until further notice. "Due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular and visa services from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are temporarily suspended until further notice. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted," read the notice put up outside the High Commission.
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IVAC in Chittagong suspends visa operations
Earlier, on Sunday, India had suspended visa operations at the IVAC in Chittagong amid the widespread unrest in Bangladesh. “Due to a recent security incident at AHCI Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong will remain suspended from 21/12/2025 until further notice," IVAC stated in its statement. The centre had also clarified that the decision to resume services will depend on a thorough assessment of the local environment. There were reports of unrest and security concerns near the diplomatic mission last week and it further intensified after the death of Inquilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 19.
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On Sunday, India had also dismissed "misleading propaganda" in sections of the Bangladeshi media over a demonstration in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi against the "horrendous killing" of Hindu youth. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that around 20-25 youths had gathered to protest the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and to call for protection of minorities in Bangladesh. He emphasised that there was no security breach, and the police dispersed the group within minutes.
"We have noted misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media on the incident. The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh," Jaiswal said.