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Dhaka: Bangladesh and India are taking steps to reinstate full visa operations, signaling a gradual normalization of relations after months of strain.
According to a report by The Indian Express, both countries are working toward resuming regular visa services, with Bangladesh already issuing visas across all categories for Indian nationals. India, on the other hand, is expected to scale up its visa processing in phases over the coming weeks.
The issue of restoring visa services was a key topic during a recent visit to India by Bangladesh’s foreign minister Khalilur Rahman. Officials in Dhaka have been urging New Delhi to take reciprocal measures to ease travel restrictions.
Currently, Bangladesh’s visa centers in New Delhi and consular offices in cities like Kolkata, Agartala, Mumbai, and Chennai are fully operational. Dhaka has called on India to match this level of service as part of broader efforts to rebuild cooperation.
Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said some visa centers had temporarily suspended operations late last year due to security concerns but resumed services in February.
Relations between the two countries had cooled following political developments in Bangladesh, including the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024 and the subsequent interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. Since a new government led by Tarique Rahman took office, both sides have been working to mend ties.
Diplomatic sources indicated that once visa services return to normal, Dhaka and New Delhi plan to focus on strengthening economic cooperation, including trade and energy connectivity. Discussions on high-level political engagements are also expected in the near future.
Indian officials noted that visa services for Bangladeshi citizens were never completely halted, even during periods of heightened security concerns. Priority continued to be given to medical and emergency travel cases. At present, visa processing is operating at roughly 15–20 percent of pre-disruption levels, with a gradual expansion underway.
The new Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Tripathi is expected to assume office soon, a development that could further accelerate the restoration of full visa services.
Recent figures show that since the partial resumption of operations in February, Bangladesh has issued more than 13,000 visas to Indian nationals for purposes including tourism, business, medical treatment, and family visits.
Bangladesh remains a major source of inbound travelers to India, accounting for over 20 percent of foreign tourist arrivals. However, travel flows have fluctuated significantly in recent years.
While over two million Bangladeshis visited India in 2023, the number dropped sharply to around 470,000 in 2025 due to political tensions and visa restrictions.
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