Last Updated on April 14, 2026 10:50 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
India is set to resume visa services for Bangladeshi nationals, including medical and business visas, from next week, Bangladesh PM’s foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said the decision had been agreed upon by New Delhi, calling it a positive step in bilateral relations.
“If there is a good mindset, relations between the two countries can move forward significantly in a positive direction,” Kabir said.
He described the recent India visit by foreign minister Khalilur Rahman and himself as “fruitful”, expressing hope of further positive outcomes in the coming weeks. “If relations between the two countries can be taken in a positive direction, then we will be able to make some good progress… it was a fruitful visit,” he said.
The delegation met external affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security adviser Ajit Doval during the April 7–8 visit. “Both meetings were positive,” Kabir said, adding that reopening of medical visas was discussed and “they have taken the matter positively”.
He said Bangladesh emphasised that strengthening ties would require equal efforts from both sides. “Not everything can be resolved in one day. But if both countries have the right mindset, any positive progress is possible,” he said.
On Sheikh Hasina, Kabir said the issue of her return was raised. “This issue will always remain under discussion… A dictator and terrorist… fled to India after killing around 1,500 people in Bangladesh. We raised this matter and said she has no place in Bangladesh anymore,” he said.
He added that Bangladesh conveyed that Hasina should not be allowed to use Indian soil to create instability and that efforts to bring her back would continue through a “transparent judicial process”.
He also said the issue of bringing back suspects in the killing of July activist Sharif Osman Hadi was discussed. “The killers have been arrested… it is possible to bring them back through legal procedures,” he said.
On energy cooperation, Kabir said Bangladesh thanked India for its support. “They have assured us of further assistance where needed,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s mandate, he added: “The new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been formed based on the support of two-thirds of the people… we can speak firmly, and that is important.”