(Reuters): Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered its key diplomatic missions in India to suspend visa services, citing security concerns, highlighting the continuing strain in relations between Dhaka and New Delhi. Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain said on Thursday that he had instructed Bangladesh’s three missions in India to temporarily close their visa sections. “I have asked our three missions [in India] to keep their visa sections closed for the time being. It’s a security issue,” Hossain told reporters, according to “The Daily Star”.
The decision followed an overnight move by Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata to restrict visa services, after similar steps were taken earlier by the High Commission in New Delhi and the mission in Agartala. Business and work visas, however, remain exempt from the restrictions. Visa services continue to operate at Bangladesh’s missions in Mumbai and Chennai.India had earlier tightened visa rules for Bangladeshi nationals after August 5, 2024, also citing security reasons.
Diplomatic ties between the two neighbours have been tense since the Awami League government of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted amid violent, student-led protests in July and August 2024.Relations have further deteriorated following Bangladesh’s decision not to send its national cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, again citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches outside India. In a detailed letter to the ICC, the BCB said its concerns extended beyond player safety to include visa issues for media personnel, fans and other stakeholders, noting that the stance reflected the government’s position.
Cricket venues became a further point of contention after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from an Indian Premier League (IPL) squad amid worsening diplomatic relations, although no official reason was given. Following the episode, Bangladesh banned the broadcast of the IPL domestically, and the BCB formally informed the ICC that it would not play its T20 World Cup matches in India.
