Tensions between India and Bangladesh escalated on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, as protestors marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, leading to the closure of the Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) and the summoning of the Bangladeshi envoy in Delhi.

The march, organized under the banner of "July Oikya," was reportedly sparked by anti-India sentiment and demands for the extradition of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India. Police in Dhaka intervened to prevent the protestors from reaching the Indian mission in the city's Gulshan area.

The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) located at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka, a primary center for Indian visa services, announced it would cease operations at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, citing the prevailing security situation. Applicants with scheduled appointments will be given new dates at a later time.

In response to the unrest and concerns over the security environment surrounding the Indian High Commission, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi summoned the Bangladeshi High Commissioner, Riaz Hamidullah. The MEA conveyed India's strong concerns regarding the deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh. They also reiterated the expectation that the Mohamed Yunus-led interim government would ensure internal law and order, including the safety of diplomatic missions, and hold peaceful elections in February of next year.

The summoning of the Bangladeshi envoy follows a previous instance where the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, was summoned by the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry on Sunday. The interim government conveyed its "concerns over the continued provocative statements" allegedly made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is reportedly residing in Delhi.

The MEA has firmly rejected what it describes as a "false narrative" propagated by extremist elements regarding recent events in Bangladesh. The ministry expressed its disappointment that the interim government has not conducted a thorough investigation or shared meaningful evidence related to these incidents with India.

Adding to the strained relations, anti-India comments by student leaders have been circulating on social media. Hasnat Abdullah, a National Citizen Party student leader known for his anti-India stance, threatened that India's northeastern "Seven Sisters" would be "isolated" if Bangladesh were destabilized. He also accused certain actors of sabotaging the election process and attacking Osman Hadi.

The situation remains tense, with both countries engaging in diplomatic exchanges to address concerns and ensure the safety and security of their respective missions and citizens.