New Delhi: In a significant step towards improving bilateral relations, India has announced the resumption of tourist visa services for Bangladeshi nationals, signalling a possible easing of tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Applications for tourist visas will be accepted from June 28, 2026, marking the return of normal visa operations for leisure travel from Bangladesh to India. Authorities also confirmed that medical visas in urgent cases will continue to be processed on humanitarian grounds.
The visa services will initially be available through centres in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna, with plans to gradually expand operations to additional cities in the coming months.
The move is expected to benefit thousands of Bangladeshi citizens who travel to India for tourism, business, family visits and cultural exchanges. It is also likely to provide a boost to people to people interactions that have traditionally formed an important pillar of India Bangladesh relations.
The announcement comes shortly after newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi formally presented his credentials to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin. During the meeting, both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding engagement across multiple sectors.
Trivedi assumed charge as India’s envoy to Bangladesh earlier this month, succeeding Pranay Kumar Verma, who completed a four year tenure in Dhaka. His appointment comes at a time when New Delhi and Dhaka are working to improve ties while addressing a number of sensitive bilateral issues through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
The Bangladesh leadership has also underlined the importance of maintaining strong relations with India, describing the country as its closest neighbour and a key partner in trade and development.
The decision to restore tourist visas is being viewed as an important confidence building measure that could pave the way for deeper cooperation and stronger ties between the two nations in the months ahead.
