Bangladesh suspends visa services for Indians at Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai missions amid strained ties
Ties between India and Bangladesh have come under strain since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi after a student-led protest brought down her government.
New Delhi: Days after suspending visa services in its high commission in New Delhi and its mission in Tripura, Bangladesh has extended the restrictions at its missions in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai from Thursday amid mounting strain in ties between the two countries.
According to a Dhaka Tribune report, the Bangladesh foreign ministry conveyed the decision on Wednesday night, citing security concerns. Ties between India and Bangladesh have come under strain since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi after a student-led protest brought down her government.
Visa service restrictions at Kolkata, Mumbai missions
The report claimed that all visa categories have been suspended except business and employment visas. While consular and visa services have been completely suspended at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, at missions in Mumbai and Chennai, tourist and other visa services were halted.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh attributed the the fresh restrictions to security concerns linked to ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh. The ministry said the review of visa services was part of a wider assessment of the situation. However, no timeline has been given for the restoration of normal services.
Bangladesh unrest
Bangladesh witnessed fresh violent protests following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi last month. Hadi was at the forefront of the anti-government protests that forced the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Besides, several Hindus were killed in Bangladesh over the past few weeks amid deteriorating security situation in the country.
Earlier, India closed two visa application centres in Bangladesh’s Khulna and Rajshahi in the wake of the worsening security situation and anti-India protests in the country.