Indian Visa Centre in Dhaka Begins Limited Operations

New Delhi: The Indian visa application centre in Dhaka has partially resumed its operations, providing a glimmer of hope for travelers amidst ongoing unrest in Bangladesh. The reopening comes after a tumultuous period that saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ousted from power following widespread protests against her government, particularly over a controversial job quota system. Hasina, who led the Awami League, resigned and fled to India last week as the situation in the country escalated.

The violent protests led to a temporary suspension of several services, including those provided by the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka. The closure of the visa centre caused significant inconvenience for people needing to travel to India, especially given the close diplomatic and economic ties between the two neighboring countries.

On Tuesday, the IVAC announced in a press release that it had resumed limited operations at its Dhaka centre. This resumption of services marks a cautious step toward normalcy and aims to reduce the backlog of visa applications that accumulated during the closure.

The decision to restart operations, even on a limited scale, reflects the IVAC’s recognition of the critical need to facilitate travel between India and Bangladesh, particularly in a time of crisis. As the political landscape in Bangladesh remains uncertain, the gradual reopening of the visa centre underscores the importance of maintaining essential services and connections between the two countries. This move is expected to bring relief to many individuals and businesses that rely on the seamless movement between India and Bangladesh.