Europe Visa Centre: There has been a rift in relations with India after the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. After the recent incidents, Bangladesh is openly opposing India. In the latest development, the head of the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has urged European countries to shift their visa centers for Bangladeshis from Delhi to Dhaka or any other neighboring country.
This comes days after reports in local media said that Dhaka was considering other sources for imports of staple food items like potatoes and onions. Yunus made this appeal during a meeting with diplomats from European countries at his office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. More than 19 diplomats posted in both Dhaka and New Delhi were present in the meeting.
What did Yunus allege?
He blamed India’s “visa restrictions” for the increase in demand. “India’s restrictions on visas for Bangladeshis have created uncertainty for many students, who cannot travel to Delhi for European visas,” he said. He alleged that as a result European universities were being deprived of talented Bangladeshi students.
“Shifting the visa offices to Dhaka or a nearby country will benefit both Bangladesh and the EU,” he told diplomats. Dhaka officials also cited the example of Bulgaria, which has already transferred its visa centers for Bangladeshis to Indonesia and Vietnam, Dhaka Tribune reported.
The diplomats said they support Dhaka’s reform initiatives and pledged their commitment to provide advice and assistance in building a new Bangladesh.
Yunus asked for help from Europe
Yunus also spoke about “widespread misinformation” about Bangladesh and asked for help from the European Union to counter it. He also accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates of “large amounts of money laundering to destabilize the country”. Yunus also claimed to have held talks with representatives of all political parties and religious communities in Bangladesh.
India made this promise to Bangladesh
Meanwhile, Bangladesh on Monday said that India has promised to take steps to increase visas for Bangladeshi citizens. This statement has come just after the meeting of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan told reporters that Egypt has promised the Bangladeshi side that it will take action.
At present India is giving limited visas to Bangladeshis. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, they are giving limited visas for medical and other important reasons. “We are already issuing medical visas and visas for emergency needs. Once the law and order situation improves and the situation returns to normal, visa operations (in Bangladesh) will resume,” MEA officials had said last month. “If the situation becomes favorable to restart, we will do so.”
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