Reacting to the growing diplomatic rift between Bangladesh and India over alleged attacks on minorities, Bangladesh took a weird step. The need for Pakistani nationals to obtain a security clearance prior to submitting an application for a visa to Bangladesh has been revoked by Dhaka.
This is seen as a protest in response to the reported destruction of its mission in Tripura. Dhaka called in the Indian envoy stationed there amid rising tensions between the two nations.
Notably, all Bangladeshi missions overseas received a communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) instructing them to assist in obtaining visas for Pakistani nationals and people of Pakistani descent living in any nation.
Shortly after an attack on the Bangladesh High Commission over the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Das in Dhaka, Bangladesh immediately suspended its visa and consular services at its mission in Agartala, Tripura.
This action seems to be an effort by Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, to strengthen ties with Pakistan after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who took a pro-India stance, was overthrown.
