India Resumes Ops at Dhaka Visa Centre after Closure amid Protests
In a significant development, the Indian visa centre in Dhaka resumed operations on Thursday, a day after it was temporarily shut due to security concerns. The closure of the visa centre came after anti-India protesters marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, sparking concerns about the safety of the staff and applicants. The protests were reportedly triggered by a radical remark made by a Bangladeshi leader, Hasnat Abdullah, against India. The Indian government had taken strong exception to the remark, summoning the Bangladesh High Commissioner on Wednesday to express its protest.
The temporary closure of the visa centre had caused inconvenience to many applicants who were scheduled to submit their visa applications or collect their passports. However, with the resumption of operations, the applicants can now proceed with their applications, and the visa centre is expected to function normally. The Indian government has taken necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the staff and applicants at the visa centre.
The protests in Dhaka were sparked by a controversial remark made by Hasnat Abdullah, a Bangladeshi leader, against India. The remark was widely condemned by the Indian government, which saw it as an attempt to vitiate the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner on Wednesday to express its strong protest against the remark.
The MEA had conveyed to the Bangladesh High Commissioner that such remarks were unacceptable and could harm the friendly relations between the two countries. The Indian government had also expected the Bangladesh government to take necessary action against the individual who made the remark. The Bangladesh government has assured the Indian government that it would take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
The incident has highlighted the need for both countries to work together to prevent such provocative statements and actions that could harm the bilateral relations. The Indian government has always maintained that it values its relations with Bangladesh and is committed to strengthening the ties between the two countries. The Bangladesh government has also assured the Indian government that it is committed to maintaining good relations with India.
The resumption of operations at the Dhaka visa centre is a welcome development, and it is expected to facilitate the travel of people between the two countries. The visa centre is an important facility that provides visa services to Bangladeshi citizens who wish to travel to India for various purposes, including tourism, business, education, and medical treatment. The centre also provides visa services to Indian citizens who wish to travel to Bangladesh.
The Indian government has taken several initiatives to strengthen the people-to-people contacts between the two countries. The government has introduced various schemes to facilitate the travel of Bangladeshi citizens to India, including the introduction of visa-on-arrival facilities at several airports in India. The government has also introduced e-visa facilities for Bangladeshi citizens, which has made it easier for them to apply for visas online.
The bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have been strengthening in recent years, with both countries cooperating in various areas, including trade, commerce, and security. The two countries have also been working together to promote regional cooperation and connectivity. The Indian government has been supportive of Bangladesh’s development efforts and has provided assistance to the country in various areas, including infrastructure development, education, and healthcare.
In conclusion, the resumption of operations at the Dhaka visa centre is a positive development that is expected to facilitate the travel of people between the two countries. The incident has highlighted the need for both countries to work together to prevent such provocative statements and actions that could harm the bilateral relations. The Indian government is committed to strengthening the ties between the two countries and is expected to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the staff and applicants at the visa centre.
About the Author
