Issuing a notice on 17 December 2025, the Central Government has closed the Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The decision has been taken amid growing security concerns, including threats from extremist elements and provocative comments from Bangladeshi leaders.
16 Indian IVACs present in Bangladesh
The main center of IVAC is in Jamuna Future Park, Dhaka. The center issued a notice saying that due to the current security situation, it will remain closed from 2 pm. This has also affected applicants with old appointments. There are a total of 16 Indian visa centers in Bangladesh, which process about 22 lakh applications every year.
Serious concern about the security of Indian High Commission
The central government has taken this step at a time when India summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Muhammad Riyaz Hamidullah. India has expressed serious concern about the security of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. The Ministry of External Affairs said that some extremist elements have planned to worsen the security situation around the Indian mission. India has completely rejected the allegations that it is creating instability in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh leader threatened India
In fact, Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah had openly threatened India. At a rally on 15 December, he said that if Bangladesh was destabilized then the fire of resistance would spread across the borders. They have threatened to separate the north-eastern states of India (Seven Sisters) and provide shelter to the separatists.
Demand to return Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh has summoned the Indian High Commissioner and reiterated the demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina is in India after being removed from power in August last year. Tension in India-Bangladesh relations has increased since the time of the interim government of Muhammad Yunus.
India has clearly said that it wants friendship with the people of Bangladesh, but will take necessary steps to protect its security and missions.
