The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) located at Jamuna Future Park has been confirmed to be operational today. Sources said that all visa-related activities will continue as usual and the centre will remain open for applicants. This has largely removed the uncertainty surrounding the visa process.
The previous day, on Wednesday, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka suddenly announced the closure of the visa centre. This created concern among general visa applicants. However, it was quickly announced that the IVAC centre at Jamuna Future Park will remain operational on Thursday, and services will be provided as per the scheduled appointments.
India’s concerns over the recent security situation are behind this incident. New Delhi has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh High Commissioner was summoned to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday to inform about this matter. It is learnt that the recent developments in Dhaka, the law and order situation, and the security of diplomatic missions were discussed from the Indian side in the meeting.
It is noteworthy that a few hours before the High Commissioner was summoned, the Indian High Commission announced the temporary closure of the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka. It is believed that this decision was taken for security reasons.
On the same day, Wednesday, the Morcha ‘Julai Oikya’, a coalition of several organisations associated with the July Uprising, announced the “March to Indian High Commission” program in Dhaka. Concerned people believe that the decision to close the visa centre was taken as a precautionary measure due to the fear that this program could create security risks.
However, the decision to keep the IBEC Visa Centre open today indicates that the situation is now under control, and this step has been taken to reduce the suffering of applicants. This is relief news for those who had applied for urgent visa needs.
Meanwhile, this incident has created a new discussion in the diplomatic relations of the two countries. According to analysts, although the recent political programs and security issues have put immediate pressure on India-Bangladesh relations, both countries are maintaining diplomatic contacts.
Overall, while the opening of the Indian Visa Application Centre at Jamuna Future Park is a great relief for the general public, it is expected that more cautious steps may be taken in the future, depending on the security situation.