New Delhi: India has closed the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka amid growing security concerns following threats by extremist elements and provocative remarks by Bangladeshi leaders.
The Indian Visa Application Centre at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka closed operations on December 17, citing the prevailing security situation. In a statement, the IVAC said all applicants who had appointments scheduled would be rescheduled for a later date.
In addition, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, and conveyed India’s strong concern over the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh.
The developments came after Bangladesh's National Citizen Party (NCP) leader, Hasnat Abdullah, warned that if the country was destabilized, it would seek to isolate India’s northeastern states, known as the Seven Sisters, and provide refuge to separatists.
