Bangladesh has further tightened visa restrictions for Indian nationals amid escalating diplomatic and security tensions between the two neighbours, extending curbs to its missions in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.
According to a report by Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Wednesday night that all categories of visas for Indian citizens, except business and employment visas, have been suspended with effect from Thursday.
Consular and visa services have been completely halted at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, while tourist and other visa services have also been suspended at missions in Mumbai and Chennai.
The decision has been taken in view of security concerns arising from ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh, diplomatic sources said.
The latest move follows an earlier suspension of visa services by the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 22 after protests erupted outside the mission.
Similar suspensions were announced by Bangladesh’s assistant high commission in Tripura following demonstrations there.
Tensions have been further fuelled by the indefinite closure of the Indian visa application centre in Chittagong amid protests over the death of student leader Osman Hadi and the lynching of a Hindu worker, Dipu Chandra Das.
