Bangladesh Suspends Mission Activities in Siliguri and Agartala After New Delhi

Darwin, 23 December:

Following the suspension of services at its mission in India’s capital New Delhi, Bangladesh has now temporarily shut down visa and consular services at its mission in Siliguri, West Bengal, and the Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Tripura. The decision was taken due to security concerns and the prevailing situation, sources said.

The Bangladesh High Commission confirmed that all visa issuance and consular activities will remain suspended until further notice, describing the situation as “unavoidable and unforeseen.”

Vandalism at Siliguri Visa Centre

On Monday, Bangladesh’s visa application centre in Siliguri was vandalised by members of several Hindutva organisations. According to reports, activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Hindu Jagaran Manch and Siliguri Metropolitan Organisation were involved in the attack, raising serious concerns over the safety of diplomatic facilities and staff.

Reasons Behind the Decision

In recent weeks, protests, threats and tense situations have been reported around Bangladesh missions and visa centres in several Indian cities. Officials said that ensuring the safety of mission personnel was the primary reason behind suspending operations.

The situation in Siliguri and Agartala deteriorated further due to growing unrest surrounding visa services, prompting the Bangladesh government to review the security environment and temporarily halt activities.

Impact on Visa Applicants

The suspension has caused immediate difficulties for visa seekers, including tourists, students and medical travellers intending to visit Bangladesh from India. However, the High Commission said services would be resumed as soon as the situation normalises.

Diplomatic Context

The move has drawn attention amid Bangladesh and India’s traditionally close diplomatic ties. Analysts believe the decision is temporary and situation-driven, rather than a signal of any long-term diplomatic shift. Nonetheless, prolonged security concerns could affect routine bilateral engagement.

Government’s Position

Officials in Dhaka said the safety of diplomatic missions and staff remains the top priority, adding that Bangladesh is maintaining communication with Indian authorities regarding the developments.

In a statement, the Bangladesh High Commission expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the public and assured that consular and visa services would resume once conditions improve.