Bangladesh has imposed stern restrictions on visa services for Indian nationals, citing security threats after the protests outside Bangladeshi missions in India. This further aggravates an already distraught relationship that began declining, slowly but surely, in mid-2024.
Key Missions: Visa Services Suspended
In this regard, the interim government in Dhaka has instructed several major missions in India to stop most visa categories, including tourist and visit visas.
Visa services have presently been suspended at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, and the Assistant High Commission in Agartala.
Earlier closures were already in place at the Assistant High Commission in Guwahati and the visa application centre in Siliguri, with service suspension being effective from late December 2025.
Visa applications are still accepted by the Bangladesh missions in Mumbai and Chennai, although practically only for emergency travel.
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Security Concerns Behind the Decision
The decision was taken solely from a security viewpoint, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, M Touhid Hossain, stated.
The restrictions were imposed against the background of protests outside the Bangladeshi missions in New Delhi, Agartala, and Mumbai, which were said to have been accompanied by slogans derogatory to Bangladesh, led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
Dhaka termed the protests a direct threat to the safety of diplomatic staff and to the facilities of the government of Bangladesh.
Reciprocal Measures and Increasing Tension in Bilateral Relations
Many reciprocal measures have created more tension in bilateral relations. Now, such steps are seen as retaliation for the imposition of visa restrictions on Bangladeshis by India following the removal of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024.
Relations further degenerated after the shooting of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 18, 2025. His murder triggered protests in both nations, further accusing both sides of attacks on minority communities, which further built up the distrust.
Wider Diplomatic and Strategic Fallout
The visa restrictions are probably just part of a much larger set of diplomatic fallouts. Bangladesh has sent an official request that it could also get its matches in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup relocated from India to Sri Lanka, claiming safety issues for both players and supporters.
On the defense front, Dhaka has confirmed its ongoing talks with Pakistan regarding possible procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. This would spark some headlines if it were to emerge: a possible indication from Bangladesh that it is reassessing its regional security partnerships.
Final Thoughts
Now that visa restrictions have been imposed and cooperation has to come under strain as a result of diplomatic, sporting, and defense matters, the India-Bangladesh relations seem destined for a very long term into the future. No official side on either end has so far indicated whether any backchannel communicative process is currently ongoing to arrive at some resolution for the stalemate.
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