More than 20,000 Bangladeshis’ passports have reportedly been returned, according to recent news sources. This action follows many demonstrations and threats against the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Based on reports, many applicants were left in limbo as a result of the indefinite suspension of visa services for citizens of Bangladesh.
A small number of urgent visa requests—which include exclusions like medical crises, student visas, and double-entry visas required for travel to other countries—are presently being processed, according to knowledgeable sources.
As previously reported, tensions between the two countries increased as a result of protests that broke out following the recent fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. As a result, visa services were discontinued.
Due to the majority closure of the Indian visa application centres in Bangladesh, irate applicants flooded the High Commission with emails, some of which contained threats of vandalism. According to reports, employees at the visa application centres were the target of heckling, and many used social media as a platform to vent their frustrations, naming the High Commission in their posts.
According to reports, Bangladesh has been a major source of tourists for India. In 2023 alone, almost 1.6 million visas were granted to citizens of Bangladesh; about 450,000 of those were granted for medical reasons. However, since August 5, there have been significant restrictions on the issuing of visas, which have been linked to a combination of staffing shortages and a purposeful policy choice that reflects the political environment of the day.
According to reports, Bangladeshis frequently depend on India to obtain visas to other nations because Bangladesh does not have any diplomatic missions. in particular, Europe. And now that Durga Puja is drawing near, worries are growing due to a discernible rise in visa applications, particularly from people hoping to go to West Bengal for the celebration.
Because of the growing tensions between the two countries, the High Commission is taking preventative measures. When it comes to temporary visas, utmost caution is advised because of cases of misuse that have been documented, such as people using medical visas for non-medical travel. Both administrations are working to restore normalcy in the interim.