India issuing visas to Bangladeshis in medical, emergency situations

Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, India indefinitely suspended visa services for Bangladeshi nationals.

In August, India's Union Home Ministry reviewed more than 400 visa applications. In the last month and a half, Indian visa application centers in Bangladesh have reportedly issued a limited number of visas to students and for emergency medical purposes.

The interim government led by Dr Yunus is gradually bringing the situation under control in the country. Despite the situation already returned to normalcy, Bangladeshis still are having trouble getting Indian visas.

A group of people protested at the Indian visa issuing center in Dhaka on August 26 due to not getting visas for a long time. After that, the Indian High Commission requested the Bangladesh government to take additional security measures at Indian visa centers. Immediately after this, the Ministry of External Affairs of India has clarified the position regarding the application of Indian visa for Bangladeshi citizens.

Meanwhile, government of Muhammad Yunus have deployed additional security at Indian embassy and visa centers.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs, told the media on Friday., "At present, visas are being provided to Bangladeshis for medical and emergency purposes. When the situation in Bangladesh will be completely normal, the work will start in full. Visa issuance will also be normal.”

India's visa service was stopped after Sheih Hasina's departure on August 5. Due to the turbulent situation just after the fall of government in Bangladesh, many Indian Embassy personnel returned to India. Later, when Bangladesh returned to normalcy, the Indian visa centers started working again.

There are five Indian visa centers in Bangladesh: Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna.