India has shut two additional Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in Bangladesh — in Rajshahi and Khulna — citing the prevailing security situation in the country. The move comes a day after protests were held near the Indian High Commission in Dhaka by radical groups, raising concerns over safety around Indian establishments.

An official notification issued on the IVAC website said the centres in Rajshahi and Khulna were closed on December 18 due to security reasons. Applicants who had appointments scheduled for the day have been assured fresh slots at a later date.

The decision follows the temporary shutdown of the visa application centre in Dhaka earlier, even as New Delhi flagged a rise in open hostility towards India, particularly targeting the northeastern region, under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

Bangladesh rejects India’s security assessment

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain dismissed India’s concerns and denied any deterioration in law and order. He distanced the interim administration from recent inflammatory remarks made by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah, who had publicly threatened to cut off India’s “seven sisters” and also issued comments against the Indian High Commissioner.

Hossain said the individual was not part of the government and termed his statements irrelevant. He also claimed that security arrangements were in place and that the shutdown of the Dhaka visa centre coincided with a local programme, which raised security-related questions.

Political backdrop and India’s response

The NCP, which emerged from student-led protests that led to the fall of the previous Awami League government, has extended support to the Yunus-led interim setup. Though the party has limited political presence, radical elements associated with it have organised anti-India demonstrations in Dhaka.

India, in an earlier statement, urged the interim government to ensure internal law and order and hold peaceful elections so that Bangladesh can return to an elected administration. However, the interim government appeared dismissive of this advice, with Hossain stating that India need not advise Dhaka on conducting elections.

Observers in Bangladesh have pointed out that delays in elections could benefit the unelected interim government, while radical groups may attempt to create disruptions by projecting India as a hostile actor. New Delhi has so far maintained a measured stance, despite remarks that directly question India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in the northeastern region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday was conferred with ‘The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, the highest national award of the African nation, becoming the first head of government or state globally to receive the honour.

The award was presented during a special ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Centre, where Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali honoured Modi for his role in strengthening bilateral relations between India and Ethiopia and for his leadership on global issues.

Recognition of India-Ethiopia partnership

According to an official statement, the honour recognises Prime Minister Modi’s contribution to deepening the long-standing partnership between the two countries and his engagement with issues concerning the Global South. The conferment is being seen as a milestone in India-Ethiopia relations and reflects the growing diplomatic and development cooperation between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the award and dedicated it to the people of India. In a post on X, he said he was honoured to receive Ethiopia’s highest recognition and attributed it to the collective strength and aspirations of 140 crore Indians.

‘Accepted with humility and gratitude’

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi said it was a privilege to accept the honour from one of the world’s most ancient civilisations. He expressed humility and gratitude while thanking Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the people of Ethiopia for the recognition.

He also praised the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s leadership and initiatives aimed at promoting national unity, sustainability and inclusive development. Highlighting the role of knowledge and education in nation-building, Modi noted that Indian teachers have been contributing to Ethiopia’s progress for more than a century.

The Prime Minister dedicated the award to both Indians and Ethiopians who have nurtured bilateral ties over generations and conveyed appreciation on behalf of India’s population for the honour bestowed upon him.

The Trump administration has widened its travel restrictions, adding 20 more countries to the existing list and imposing a complete ban on travel for people holding documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The decision significantly expands the scope of the travel limits announced earlier this year and will come into force from January 1.

According to the proclamation issued on Tuesday, the latest move doubles the number of nations impacted by US travel and immigration restrictions. Five additional countries now face a full ban, while 15 others have been placed under partial restrictions. The administration said the measures apply to both visitors and those seeking to immigrate to the United States.

Countries facing full travel ban

The newly added countries under the full ban include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. In addition, people travelling on Palestinian Authority-issued passports or documents have been fully barred from entering or emigrating to the US. South Sudan had already been subject to significant restrictions before this announcement.

Earlier, the administration had imposed a complete ban on travellers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

15 countries under partial restrictions

The list of countries now facing partial travel restrictions includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

These join the earlier partially restricted countries such as Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. The administration also said restrictions on Laos and Sierra Leone have been upgraded, while some limits on Turkmenistan have been eased after an improvement in vetting standards.

Who is exempt from the restrictions

The proclamation clarifies that certain categories of travellers are exempt. These include people who already hold valid US visas, lawful permanent residents, diplomats, athletes, and individuals whose entry is considered to be in the national interest of the United States.

Reasons cited by the administration

The US administration said many of the affected countries suffer from widespread corruption, unreliable civil documents and weak criminal record systems, making proper vetting difficult. It also pointed to high visa overstay rates, refusal by some governments to accept deported nationals, and broader concerns related to immigration enforcement, foreign policy and national security.

The expansion follows the arrest of an Afghan national accused in the shooting of two National Guard troops near the White House during the Thanksgiving weekend. The accused has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges.

Criticism and concerns over Afghan visas

The decision has drawn criticism from rights groups and immigration advocates, who argue that national security is being used to justify broad restrictions on entire populations. Concerns have also been raised over the removal of an exception for Afghans eligible for the Special Immigrant Visa, a category meant for those who assisted US forces during the war in Afghanistan.

Advocacy groups said these individuals undergo extensive vetting and that restricting their entry could undermine commitments made by the United States.

New restrictions on Palestinians

The full ban on people holding Palestinian Authority passports marks a further tightening of restrictions imposed earlier, which had already made it extremely difficult for Palestinians to travel to the US for work, education, business or tourism. The administration justified the move by citing the presence of US-designated terrorist groups in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as challenges in vetting due to ongoing conflict.

Governments of some newly affected countries said they were reviewing the decision and seeking clarity from US officials on the implications of the restrictions.