Bangladesh Suspends Visa Services at Key Indian Missions

Bangladesh Visa Suspension: Key Details

Bangladesh’s interim government has announced a suspension of visa services at three of its major missions in India, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala. The move, described as precautionary, comes amid heightened security concerns and political sensitivities ahead of Bangladesh’s general elections scheduled for February 12, 2026.

Key Highlights:

• Affected Missions: Visa services halted at New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala.
• Scope of Suspension: All consular and visa services paused, except for business and employment visas.
• Reason: Security concerns cited by Foreign Affairs Adviser M. Touhid Hossain.
• Timeline: No official date announced for resumption of services.
• Other Missions: Visa services in Mumbai and Chennai remain operational.
• Context: Relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
• Impact: Indian nationals seeking non-essential travel to Bangladesh face delays, while urgent work related travel may still be permitted.

This suspension underscores the fragile state of India-Bangladesh relations and highlights the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding Dhaka’s upcoming elections.

Sources: The Hindu, Financial Express, Indian Express