What happened:
India suspended visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chattogram until further notice, following security concerns after violent unrest in Bangladesh. The decision came after attacks and stone-pelting at the Assistant High Commissioner’s residence in Chattogram amid protests triggered by the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Other IVAC centres in Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet remained operational, with security tightened across Indian missions.
Why it matters to India:
The suspension reflects India’s concern over the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh and underscores the priority given to the safety of Indian diplomatic missions. It also highlights growing sensitivities in bilateral relations amid political instability and anti-India protests, with New Delhi urging Bangladesh’s interim government to uphold its diplomatic obligations.