New Delhi: India-Bangladesh relations hit another roadblock as the Yunus-led administration restricted visas for Indian nationals across its consulates in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.
The policy was announced by the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry late Wednesday, and the new restrictions take effect from Thursday. According to a report by Dhaka Tribune, the revised policy suspends all categories of visas for Indian citizens, except for business and employment visas.
Consular and visa services have been completely halted at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, the ministry further said. In Mumbai and Chennai, tourist and other non-essential visa services for Indian nationals have also been suspended.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry cited ‘security considerations’ amid ongoing tensions between the two countries as the motive behind the move.
The latest measures build on earlier suspensions announced on 22 December when Bangladesh halted visa issuance and consular services at its High Commission in New Delhi, the Assistant High Commission in Agartala, and a visa application centre in Siliguri. Consular services were also suspended at the mission in Guwahati after protests were held across diplomatic missions in both countries.
Previously, India closed two visa application centres in Bangladesh’s Khulna and Rajshahi due to continuous security concerns and anti-India protests in the country.
The tit-for-tat measures have added strain to an already fragile relationship, as diplomatic engagement between the two countries continues to narrow.
(Edited by Sampurna Panigrahi)