Bangladeshi envoy summoned, as India suspends visa operations amid security fears

India has taken a sharp diplomatic step against Bangladesh by temporarily shutting its primary Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka and summoning the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to New Delhi, citing a deteriorating security environment.

The decision was announced on December 17, when the Dhaka-based IVAC confirmed it had ceased operations from 2 p.m. local time because of the “prevailing security situation”. Applicants with existing appointments were informed that their slots would be rescheduled. In contrast, others were advised to approach alternative visa centres elsewhere in Bangladesh, even as uncertainty surrounds their continued functioning.

The move marks a clear escalation in bilateral tensions, with New Delhi linking the closure to threats from extremist groups, radical speeches and a surge in protests that officials believe could endanger Indian diplomatic staff and premises.

Indian authorities have also issued travel advisories for citizens in Bangladesh in recent weeks, signalling deepening concern over law and order conditions.

India raises alarm over safety of diplomatic missions

On the same day as the visa suspension, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner, M Riaz Hamidullah, to formally register India’s objections over what it described as inadequate security for its High Commission in Dhaka.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Indian officials conveyed that protective measures around Indian diplomatic facilities had not kept pace with the rise in anti-India demonstrations and incendiary public statements by certain political and religious figures.

“The safety of our diplomats and missions is paramount, and we have urged Dhaka to take immediate steps to address these threats,” an MEA spokesperson said, without providing details of specific incidents.

Indian officials allege that some radical leaders in Bangladesh have openly questioned India’s territorial sovereignty and called for action against Indian interests, heightening fears of targeted violence.

Strains deepen as protests, rhetoric grow

The current standoff is unfolding against the backdrop of broader unrest in Bangladesh, where protests over economic pressures, border-related grievances and perceived Indian influence have intensified in recent weeks.

New Delhi believes extremist groups have exploited these issues to amplify anti-India sentiment, with speeches and campaigns that go beyond criticism into explicit threats. Bangladeshi authorities, however, have sought to downplay the situation, describing such voices as fringe elements rather than representative of public opinion.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry has not yet issued a formal response to the summoning of its envoy. However, officials in Dhaka have indicated informally that they remain committed to protecting foreign missions.

The suspension of visa services in Dhaka carries practical consequences. The centre processes thousands of applications each year, including for medical treatment, education and business travel, and its closure risks disrupting long-standing people-to-people links and commercial exchanges.

Analysts say the episode reflects a period of unusual strain in India-Bangladesh relations, which have otherwise been marked by cooperation on trade, connectivity and counter-terrorism. With no timeline announced for reopening the Dhaka visa centre, much will depend on whether security conditions stabilise enough to reassure New Delhi in the days ahead.