The Indian Visa Application Centre at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka, the primary integrated centre handling all Indian visa services in the capital, shut operations from 2 pm. The centre said all the applicants with appointments scheduled for submission on Wednesday would be rescheduled
MEA said the Bangladeshi High Commissioner was apprised of India’s serious concerns. Representational pic
India on Wednesday closed its main visa application centre in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka in view of the prevailing security situation, even as New Delhi summoned Bangladesh’s envoy and conveyed strong concerns over threats to the safety of its mission, news agency PTI reported.
The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka, the primary integrated centre handling all Indian visa services in the capital, closed its operations from 2 pm on Wednesday.
“In view of the ongoing security situation, we wish to bring to your kind notice that IVAC JFP Dhaka will be closed at 2 pm today,” the IVAC said in a statement.
It added that all applicants with appointments scheduled for submission on Wednesday would be rescheduled for a later date, PTI reported.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and expressed India’s strong concern over certain extremist elements announcing plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of Missions and Posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” the MEA said.
MEA rejects ‘false narrative’, flags extremist threats to Indian mission in Dhaka
In a separate statement, the MEA said India “completely rejects the false narrative” being sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent developments in Bangladesh. It also expressed disappointment over the lack of clarity from Dhaka, PTI reported.
“It is unfortunate that the interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidents,” the ministry said, without elaborating on the events.
The MEA stated the Bangladeshi envoy was apprised of India’s serious concerns over the deteriorating security environment in the country, PTI reported.
“His attention was drawn, in particular, to the activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka,” the ministry said.
India’s decision to temporarily close the visa application centre comes amid heightened tensions over security and follows New Delhi’s diplomatic engagement with Dhaka to ensure the safety of Indian personnel and facilities in Bangladesh.
(With PTI inputs)
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