Out of caution, Bangladesh’s caretaker administration paused visa operations at key posts across India. This move comes as election day nears – set for 12 February. Safety issues prompted the halt. Several high commissions will stay closed for now. The decision reflects tension brewing before the vote.
Starting Thursday, 8 January 2026, embassies in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala face changes. This halt, called a temporary fix by staff, limits trips that aren’t urgent. Political tension makes timing tricky right now.
Why Bangladesh Made the Choice
Word from Dhaka suggests tension ahead of elections plays a big role in the pause. After August 2024’s turmoil, temporary leaders stayed alert – worried threats might spark chaos or strain foreign ties.
Fewer risks might follow if visitor permits for Indians pause a while, officials believe. Safety of tourists, embassy workers, even calm in towns near the India-Bangladesh line could improve. Actions target spots where tensions sometimes flare up without warning.
Focused on caution, officials said the step tries to stop situations worsening between nations while voting happens. Preventing flare-ups matters most when ballots are being cast.
Visa Services Impacted and Unaffected
Though visits for tourism or casual reasons are on hold, Bangladesh stresses its desire to keep trade and aid flowing without disruption.
M. Touhid Hossain, handling foreign affairs, explained what was unclear. His words brought light on matters some found confusing. Stillness followed his statement, then quiet movement of thought among listeners
- Firms seeking entry permits can expect processing without delays. Still, each application must meet current rules. Officials will keep handling requests as usual. Entry passes for professionals go on as planned.
- When emergencies come up, decisions happen one at a time. Each situation gets its own response. Urgent matters are looked at separately. How things unfold depends on what’s happening right then.
- Visa operations have been put on hold, but just at locations in New Delhi, Kolkata, still affecting Agartala
Bangladesh’s offices in Mumbai and Chennai keep running without issues, which hints that risks are seen mainly in the north and east. Still operating normally down south.
Rising Tensions and Diplomatic Strain
A sudden pause on visas follows growing strain between India and Bangladesh – tension that began climbing sharply after December 2025 drew to a close.
A twist came when Sharif Osman Hadi died, days after being shot during the July 2024 unrest. Because of his role, anger spread fast across Bangladesh once news broke on 18 December. Streets filled with people upset over what happened. Tensions jumped between nations, as each called the other’s representative to their foreign offices. Talks cooled only slightly afterward, but trust had already thinned.
Now things have gotten messier because India limited visas for people from Bangladesh. That move sparked back-and-forth actions, each side responding to the other. Tensions grew as trust between the two countries weakened.
A Delicate Phase for Bilateral Relations
A pause in visas, said Dhaka, will only last a short while – yet it lands when trust between India and Bangladesh feels thin. As votes draw near and emotions rise, tiny sparks now could light bigger tensions later.
Right now, those planning trips should keep an eye on updates from Bangladesh’s offices in India, since officials are still checking how safe things will be in the coming weeks.
