Amid the India-Bangladesh diplomatic standoff, Bangladesh's interim government head Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus has urged the European countries to shift their visa centres for Bangladeshis from Delhi to Dhaka or another neighbouring country. This comes days after local media reports emerged that Dhaka was looking at other sources to import staple food items like potatoes and onions.
Yunus made the plea during a meeting with diplomats from European countries at his office in Dhaka's Tejgaon. Over 19 diplomats stationed in both Dhaka and New Delhi were present at the meeting.
He blamed India's "visa restrictions" for raising the demand. "India's restrictions on visas for Bangladeshis have created uncertainties for many students who cannot travel to Delhi for European visas," he said, alleging that as a consequence, European universities are missing out on talented Bangladeshi students.
"Relocating visa offices to Dhaka or a nearby country would benefit both Bangladesh and the European Union," he told the diplomats. Dhaka officials also cited the example of Bulgaria, which already shifted its visa centre for Bangladeshis to Indonesia and Vietnam, reported Dhaka Tribune.
The diplomats said they supported Dhaka's reform initiatives and promised commitment to providing advice and assistance in building a new Bangladesh.
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Yunus also addressed "the widespread misinformation" about Bangladesh and sought the EU's help to counter this. He also accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her aides of "laundering significant amounts of money to destabilise the country." Yunus also claimed to be conducting dialogues with representatives of all political parties and religious communities in Bangladesh.
Also read: Bangladesh shunning India? Dhaka hunting for other sources to import potatoes, onions
Meanwhile, Dhaka said on Monday that India promised to take steps to increase the visas for Bangladeshi nationals. This statement came just after Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan told reporters that Misro promised the Bangladesh side that he would take measures.
At present, India is offering limited visas to Bangladeshis. According to MEA, they are offering limited visas for medical and other urgent reasons.
"We are already issuing medical visas and visas for emergency requirements. Once the law and order situation improves and the situation becomes conducive to our resumption of normal visa operations (in Bangladesh), we will do that," MEA officials said last month.
Recently, there were reports that Dhaka was looking at sources other than India to import potatoes and onions. The reasons cited by authorities for the move are "the rising prices of onions and potatoes in the Indian market" and the "various decisions taken by Indian authorities to discourage exports."
