India visa Dhaka centre closes as security concerns rise amid anti-India rhetoric

India has halted visa services at a key centre in Dhaka, citing security risks after sharp anti-India speeches and threats to its diplomatic staff in Bangladesh. The step marks a fresh strain in ties, as New Delhi objects to hostile remarks about India's northeastern region and to attempts to link India with recent political violence in Bangladesh.

The Indian Visa Application Centre at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka closed operations early on the day New Delhi called in Bangladesh's High Commissioner. Indian officials formally raised worries about safety around the mission and staff. The centre said appointments booked for that day would be rescheduled for another time once the situation allowed.

The Jamuna Future Park facility confirmed the shutdown in an official message to applicants, pointing to the tense climate in Dhaka. The statement said: "In view of the ongoing security situation, we wish to bring to your kind notice that the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka will be closed at 2 PM today. All applicants who have appointment slots booked for submission today will be given a slot at a later date,"

The move comes as Indian authorities report rising threats linked to political rallies and public speeches in Bangladesh. Indian diplomats have flagged specific comments that question India's territorial integrity, especially regarding the northeastern states known as the Seven Sisters, and have warned that such claims risk harming long-standing bilateral ties.

The visa suspension follows a surge in anti-India slogans and statements in Bangladesh that focus on India's northeast. Several radical groups have used rallies to accuse New Delhi of interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs. These campaigns have gained space amid political churn under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, which is seen as exploring closer contact with Pakistan.

Some of these groups have tried to connect India with the assault on student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. They allege, without presenting proof, that India supports individuals blamed for the attack. Indian officials view these claims as attempts to inflame public opinion against New Delhi and distract from domestic political issues.

India visa Dhaka: Threats, denials and diplomatic steps

Tensions escalated further when a leader of Bangladesh's National Citizen Party addressed a protest in Dhaka and issued a direct warning about India's northeast. During the demonstration organised by Inqilab Mancha, the leader Hasnat Abdullah declared: "Seven Sisters will be separated from India," while alleging Indian backing for suspects in the Hadi case.

New Delhi has strongly dismissed these accusations and responded to comments from Bangladesh's interim government. India stated that it has "never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh." As exchanges sharpened, Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, highlighting how serious the disagreement has become for both sides.

Behind the immediate dispute lies a large cross-border travel system that is now partly disrupted. India runs 16 visa application centres across Bangladesh, which together handle nearly 22 lakh visa requests each year. These facilities are the main formal route for Bangladesh citizens visiting India for work, study, medical treatment, tourism and family reasons.

The State Bank of India is the only authorised body that collects Indian visa applications in Bangladesh, working through this network of centres. The current closure only affects the Jamuna Future Park outlet, but officials in both countries are closely watching whether the wider visa system, and broader people-to-people links, face further impact as diplomatic talks continue.