Indian visa centres in Bangladesh closed until further notice

The Indian visa application centres in Bangladesh will be closed for an indefinite period due to unrest in the neighbouring country, which forced Sheikh Hasina to resign as Prime Minister and flee the country.

The online portal for applying for Indian visas now displays a message stating, "All IVACs will remain closed until further notice due to the unstable situation. The next application date will be communicated via SMS, and applicants are requested to pick up their passports on the next working day."

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Notably, on Wednesday, New Delhi evacuated non-essential staff and their families from its High Commission and consulates in Bangladesh amid the volatile situation in the country.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka remains functional and a team of senior Indian diplomats remain in the country. India has a High Commission in the capital cityDhaka and 4 assistant high commissions- Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna.

There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there, of which about 9,000 are students. The bulk of the students have already returned to India in the month of July after an advisory by the Indian govt.

The situation in Bangladesh has seen significant political upheaval following the resignation and departure of the former PM Hasina.

Hasina, who had been in power for overtwo decades, left the country on August 5 amidwidespread protests.

The protests initially started over the issue of civil service job quotas but escalated into demands for Hasina to step down.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday,"We are monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities."

"There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organisations to ensure their protection and well-being. We welcome that, but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored," he said in parliament on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies)