Due to security concerns from extremists and radicals India has closed visa application centers in Rajshahi and Khulna in Bangladesh

New Delhi. Seeing the threat to its High Commission and visa centers after inflammatory statements by fundamentalists and some leaders in Bangladesh, India has taken this step. India’s External Affairs Ministry closed its visa application centers in Bangladesh’s Rajshahi and Khulna on Thursday. India took this decision because a large number of protesters had marched towards the High Commission of India in Dhaka on Wednesday. Also threatened to sabotage. At the same time, on Thursday, protesters tried to march towards the Assistant High Commission of India in Rajshahi and raised anti-India slogans.

Bangladeshi Security Forces block the road near Indian Assistant High Commission in Rajshahi, Bangladesh as violent Islamist radical mob continues to March adamant to attack the Indian mission. pic.twitter.com/4efuSmaVb9

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 18, 2025

Bangladesh Police stopped the steps of anti-India protesters moving towards the Indian High Commission and Assistant High Commission on Wednesday and Thursday, but seeing the safety of the officers and employees of the Indian High Commission in danger, they had to close the visa application centers in Rajshahi and Khulna. Anti-India activities are continuously increasing. Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of Bangladesh, had recently threatened to separate seven states located in the north-east of India. After which the Indian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riyaz Hamidullah and expressed displeasure and concern. After summoning the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, the Indian Foreign Ministry had also issued a statement in this regard.

The Ministry of External Affairs had said that India rejects the false narrative being spun by extremist elements of Bangladesh regarding some recent incidents. The Ministry of External Affairs had also described as unfortunate the interim government of Bangladesh’s thorough investigation into these incidents and not sharing concrete evidence with India. In the statement, the Ministry of External Affairs has expected the interim government of Bangladesh to ensure the security of India’s missions and offices in the country as part of its diplomatic responsibilities. The interim government of Mohammad Yunus has turned a blind eye to the continuous activity of anti-India forces in Bangladesh. Because of this, the morale of elements against India has increased. Whereas, during the Sheikh Hasina government, the voice of anti-India elements was not heard in Bangladesh.