India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability

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Protesters chant slogans around a fire in Dhaka on December 18 after the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, whose killing triggered unrest in the Bangladeshi capital and other parts of the country, including attacks on media offices, authorities said. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:06pm, 22 Dec 2025Updated: 11:41am, 23 Dec 2025

India’s decision to suspend visa services from Bangladesh’s port city of Chittagong after a fresh bout of political violence underscores how difficult it may be for bilateral ties to return to normal any time soon, analysts have said.

The suspension, announced on Sunday, followed protests triggered by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, a youth leader linked to last year’s student-led uprising, who was shot in Dhaka on December 12 and later died from his injuries at a hospital in Singapore after being airlifted there for treatment.

Thousands of protesters marched on Thursday after Hadi’s death was confirmed, demanding the arrest of those responsible as demonstrations in Dhaka and elsewhere turned violent.

A member of the country’s Hindu minority, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, was reportedly lynched and killed by a mob in Bhaluka, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, during the unrest. Separately, several buildings in Dhaka – including those housing the country’s two leading newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo – were reportedly set ablaze.

A fire burns outside the offices of Prothom Alo in Dhaka on Friday, as unrest followed the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Photo: AFP

The two papers are the largest in the South Asian country, but protesters accused them of being aligned with neighbouring India, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge since her removal from power.

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India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability