India visas for Bangladeshi tourists may resume 'within a month'

India's tourist visas for Bangladeshi tourists may resume within a month. An influential Indian media outlet reported that New Delhi is preparing to resume tourist visa services for Bangladeshis from the end of this month by June.

The Hindu Business Line reported that India is currently operating a limited number of visas for Bangladeshis, of which about 1,000 medical visas are being issued every day. However, active discussions and preparations are now underway to resume the long-closed tourist visas.

It is thinked that this initiative is being taken as part of a larger effort to normalize bilateral relations. After the political changes in 2024, Bangladesh-India relations came under some strain, which affected visas, consular services and communication systems. Later, the two countries gradually started talks at various levels to normalize relations.

In the meantime, diplomatic contacts and high-level meetings between the two countries have increased. Recently, it has been reported that technical level discussions are being resumed on trade, customs, water sharing, border management and visa-related issues. Through these discussions, solutions to various long-pending issues are being sought.

Earlier, India used to issue about 6 to 7 thousand visas to Bangladeshis every day. However, after the situation changed, it came down to one to one and a half thousand. After that, tourist visas became practically limited except for medical and emergency needs.

Now, if tourist visas are reintroduced, it is expected that the travel of Bangladeshi tourists, patients and travelers will become easier. Especially, medical tourism, business contacts and family travel can have a major positive impact.

According to analysts, if the visa process is normalized, not only will the movement of people between the two countries increase, but also trade, tourism and cultural relations will also be strengthened. As a result, there is a possibility of a new dynamic in Bangladesh-India relations overall.