India Suspends Visa Operations in Bangladesh’s Chittagong
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Visa services for India have halted indefinitely at the application center in Chittagong, Bangladesh’s second-largest city. The suspension affects thousands of applicants seeking tourist, medical, and business visas to India.
The Indian Visa Application Centre announced the closure due to a recent security incident at the Assistant High Commission of India in Chittagong. Operations stopped from December 21, 2025, until further notice, pending a security review.
The decision follows unrest triggered by the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who passed away during treatment in Singapore. His death sparked protests, vandalism, and stone-pelting at the Assistant High Commissioner’s residence in Chattogram on Thursday.
Authorities cited heightened tensions and attacks on Indian missions as the primary reasons. Similar brief closures occurred at centers in Dhaka, Khulna, and Rajshahi earlier in the week due to protest attempts.
Security measures increased at the Indian Assistant High Commission and visa center in Sylhet on December 20. No injuries were reported from the incidents, but the events raised concerns over regional stability.
Bangladeshi applicants now must use alternative centers in Dhaka or other locations for visa processing. The suspension impacts medical travelers, who frequently use Chittagong for Indian hospital visits.
The Indian Visa Application Centre stated that a new announcement will follow once authorities deem the situation safe. Applicants are advised to check the official website for updates on resumption.
This development adds to ongoing diplomatic strains, with previous temporary closures linked to anti-India sentiments during protests. Visa operations in Dhaka resumed after a one-day shutdown.
Travelers planning trips to India from southern Bangladesh face delays and rerouting to distant centers. The port city serves a large population reliant on cross-border movement for trade and healthcare.
