Bangladesh Mission in Delhi Suspends Visa Services

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has temporarily suspended all consular services, including visa issuance, citing an “unforeseen situation,” officials said on Monday.

Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and New Delhi confirmed that the suspension will remain in effect until further notice.

“Due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular and visa services at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are temporarily suspended until further notice,” said a notice issued by the mission.

The decision follows a protest staged late Saturday night outside the Bangladesh High Commission by a group of 20 to 25 members of an extremist outfit identifying itself as Akhanda Hindu Rashtra Sena.

The protesters reportedly remained at the site for about 20 minutes, chanting slogans against Bangladesh and issuing threats against Bangladesh High Commissioner Md Riaz Hamidullah.

Responding to questions from journalists on Sunday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain expressed concern over the incident, noting that the Bangladesh mission is located within a highly secure diplomatic zone in Delhi.

“How could Hindu extremists enter such a sensitive area? This is not something that should have been allowed or anticipated,” he said.

Touhid Hossain added that following the incident, the high commissioner’s family has been feeling unsafe and under threat. He described the situation as deeply concerning, particularly given the mission’s location within the diplomatic enclave.

No timeline has been announced for the resumption of visa and consular services, as authorities continue to assess the security situation surrounding the Bangladesh mission in Delhi.

Meanwhile, sources at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said no decision has yet been made regarding any reciprocal measures.