Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed serious concern over the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, warning that continued violence is directly affecting people-to-people ties and straining diplomatic engagement between the two neighbouring countries.

Reacting to reports of visa centres being shut down due to protests, Tharoor said the disruption is hurting ordinary Bangladeshis who wish to travel to India. He noted that many applicants have already been complaining about delays in securing visas, and the current instability has further complicated India’s ability to extend assistance.

Tharoor underlined that the situation has made it difficult for Indian authorities to function normally, particularly after protests impacted diplomatic facilities. He described the disruption of India’s Assistant High Commission as unacceptable and said it is the responsibility of the host government to ensure the safety and security of foreign missions.

Calling for restraint, the senior Congress leader urged both the people and the government of Bangladesh to recognise the importance of their relationship with India. Drawing on a well-known observation by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Tharoor said geography cannot be altered and neighbours must learn to work together despite challenges.

He added that New Delhi would need to closely monitor developments on the ground and actively engage with Bangladeshi authorities through diplomatic channels. According to Tharoor, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is expected to reach out to the host government to push for de-escalation and restoration of normalcy.