Visa thaw signals reset in India-Bangladesh ties

India and Bangladesh have initiated a calibrated reset in bilateral ties, beginning with the phased restoration of visa services after months of disruption triggered by political turmoil and security concerns.

Dhaka has already resumed visa issuance for Indian citizens across all categories, while New Delhi is preparing a gradual ramp-up over the coming weeks. The move marks the first concrete step towards normalization as both sides quietly revive diplomatic engagement channels.

The issue figured prominently during Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s visit to India in April 2026, with Dhaka pushing for reciprocal easing of restrictions. All Bangladeshi visa centres in India — including the High Commission in New Delhi and consulates in Kolkata, Agartala, Mumbai and Chennai—are now fully operational.

Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah confirmed that services, suspended in December 2025, were restored in phases beginning February 2026.

The diplomatic outreach follows a period of strained ties after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and the subsequent tensions under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. Since the new BNP government assumed office, both sides have taken cautious steps to rebuild trust.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Dhaka in February 2026 — alongside the Indian delegation attending Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in — signaled the beginning of this recalibration.

Despite the disruptions, Indian officials said visa services were never fully suspended. “Processing continued on a case-to-case basis, particularly for medical and family emergencies,” government sources noted.

Currently, visa operations for Bangladeshi nationals stand at just 15–20% of pre-December 2025 levels, with priority given to medical and emergency travel. A full restoration is expected once administrative and security clearances are aligned, especially with the upcoming posting of India’s new High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi.

Data shared by the Bangladesh High Commission shows that over 13,000 visas have been issued to Indian citizens since February 20, 2026, covering business, tourism, medical and family travel.

The broader stakes remain significant. Bangladesh contributes over 20% of India’s foreign tourist inflow, with medical travel, business visits and family connections forming the bulk of movement. In 2023, India received 21.2 lakh Bangladeshi visitors, which dipped to 17.5 lakh in 2024. The figure saw a steep fall to 4.7 lakh in 2025 amid visa restrictions and political unrest.

The curbs were intensified following violent protests outside Indian missions in Chittagong and Sylhet in mid-2024, prompting tighter controls on visa appointments.

With visa normalization underway, both sides are now expected to expand engagement into economic cooperation and energy connectivity. India recently supplied diesel to Bangladesh to ease shortages linked to the West Asia conflict, underlining the strategic importance of the relationship.

Officials indicate that high-level political exchanges could follow in the coming weeks, potentially cementing the fragile but visible thaw in ties between the two neighbors.