India, Bangladesh move to restore full visa services as ties begin to stabilise

India and Bangladesh have begun taking concrete steps to normalise relations after months of diplomatic strain, with both countries moving towards the full restoration of visa services.

While Bangladesh has already resumed issuing visas to Indian citizens across all categories, India is now working towards gradually scaling up visa operations for Bangladeshi nationals over the coming weeks.

The move marks one of the clearest signs yet of improving ties between New Delhi and Dhaka after a prolonged period of political and diplomatic turbulence.

Dhaka pushes for reciprocal action

Visa normalisation reportedly featured prominently during Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s recent visit to India.

Bangladesh has fully restored operations at all its visa centres in India, including its High Commission in New Delhi and consular offices in Kolkata, Agartala, Mumbai and Chennai.

Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah said visa operations that had been temporarily suspended in December were restored in February.

India gradually increasing processing capacity

Indian officials say visa services for Bangladeshi citizens were never fully suspended, though operations were significantly scaled back due to security concerns.

Applications involving medical treatment and family emergencies continued to be processed on a priority basis.

Currently, India’s visa processing capacity for Bangladeshi nationals is estimated to be functioning at around 15–20% of pre-December 2025 levels.

A broader restoration is expected in phases, especially with incoming Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi set to take charge soon.

Diplomatic reset after political tensions

Relations between the two neighbours had deteriorated following the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and the subsequent interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.

Ties have shown signs of recovery since the new BNP-led government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed office.

In February, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka as part of the Indian delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony.

Travel numbers reflect strain

The impact of the diplomatic chill has been visible in travel figures.

Bangladeshi visitor arrivals to India fell sharply from 21.2 lakh in 2023 to 17.5 lakh in 2024, before plunging to just 4.7 lakh in 2025 amid political unrest and visa restrictions.

Bangladesh remains one of India’s largest sources of foreign visitors, accounting for over 20% of inbound arrivals, with travel primarily driven by medical care, business and family visits.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has issued more than 13,000 visas to Indian citizens in the two months since resuming full services, covering business, tourism, medical and family travel.

Broader cooperation likely

Officials say once visa operations are fully normalised, both sides are expected to focus on rebuilding cooperation in trade, energy connectivity and other strategic areas.

India’s recent diesel supply assistance to Bangladesh amid its energy shortages has already been seen as an early signal of renewed engagement.