All Indian visa application centers (IVACs) in Bangladesh will remain closed until further notice due to the current unrest in the neighboring country. Following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister and her subsequent flight from the country, the online visa application portal now displays a notice stating, “All IVACs will remain closed until further notice due to the unstable situation. The next application date will be communicated via SMS. Please pick up your passport on the next working day.”
This announcement comes a day after New Delhi evacuated non-essential staff and their families from its High Commission and consulates in Bangladesh amid the escalating crisis. Despite the turmoil, Indian diplomats remain in place, and the missions continue to operate, according to government sources.
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India maintains a High Commission in Dhaka and consulates in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet.
Massive protests against Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government have compelled the 76-year-old leader to resign and flee to India. An interim government, supported by the Army, is being established, with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus set to lead the caretaker administration.
In response to the situation, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament that approximately 19,000 Indian nationals are currently in Bangladesh, including around 9,000 students. Many of these students have returned to India since the protests began. Jaishankar assured that the government is in close contact with the Indian community and is closely monitoring the situation, including the welfare of minorities in Bangladesh.
(Includes inputs from online sources)
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