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By Zakir Hossain
India and Bangladesh are moving to restore full-scale visa services in a bid to normalise ties after months of strain, with Dhaka already resuming visas for Indian citizens across all categories and Delhi planning a gradual expansion of visa operations over the next few weeks.
Visa normalisation was among the key issues raised by Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman during his visit to India last month. While all Bangladesh visa centres in India, including the high commission in New Delhi and consular divisions in Kolkata, Agartala, Mumbai and Chennai, are now functional, Dhaka has sought early reciprocity from Delhi.
Bangladesh high commissioner Riaz Hamidullah said, “After the visa operations at some of our centres had to be held in abeyance in December last year, they were restored in February.”
In February, Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka as part of the Indian delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to attend the swearing-in of PM Tarique Rahman.
Since the new BNP government took charge, Delhi and Dhaka have been trying to recalibrate ties that were strained during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
Once visa services are normalised, both sides are expected to focus on other areas of cooperation, including economic ties and energy connectivity. High-level political engagements may also be worked out in the coming weeks, sources said. India recently transported diesel to Bangladesh to help ease its energy shortage amid the West Asia war.
Government sources in New Delhi said visa services for Bangladeshi citizens were badly affected by security concerns last year but were never fully stopped. “Considerations were made on a case-to-case basis, especially for those dealing with medical or family emergencies,” a source said.
Indian visa operations for Bangladeshis are currently functioning at about 15-20% of pre-December 2025 capacity, with medical and family visas being prioritised. Full-scale resumption is expected after new Indian high commissioner Dinesh Trivedi takes charge.
According to Bangladesh High Commission figures, over 13,000 visas have been issued to Indian citizens in the last two months since operations resumed around February 20. These include business, tourism, medical and family-visit visas.
Officials said Indian nationals mostly apply for business and tourist visas in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, while many applications in Kolkata and Agartala are for family visits.
Bangladesh accounts for over 20% of India’s foreign tourist arrivals, with medical treatment, business and visits to friends and family forming a major share. West Bengal remains a primary destination.
Official data showed 21.2 lakh visitors from Bangladesh came to India in 2023, falling to 17.5 lakh in 2024. In 2025, arrivals dropped sharply to 4.7 lakh, largely due to political tensions and visa restrictions. Visa appointments had been curtailed in mid-2024 after violent protests outside Indian missions in Chittagong and Sylhet.