Published: 12:37 AM, 11 May 2026
India set to reopen tourist visas for Bangladeshis: Report
India is preparing to resume tourist visa services for Bangladeshi nationals within the next month, marking a significant step in efforts to stabilise strained bilateral relations, The Hindu Business Line reports.
Citing informed sources, the Indian daily reported on Sunday that New Delhi is likely to restart tourist visa issuance either by the end of this month or in June, as part of a broader push to restore normal consular operations.
India is issuing around 1,000 medical visas daily to Bangladeshi citizens at the moment, while preparations are under way to reintroduce tourist visa services as well.
According to the report, the April visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to New Delhi served as an "ice-breaker" between the two sides, becoming the first high-level engagement since the political shift in Dhaka.
That meeting helped pave the way for restoring suspended consular services and connectivity, it added.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated following the 2024 political upheaval in Bangladesh, which led to the fall of the Awami League government.
The situation further strained consular cooperation, with both sides imposing restrictions on visa and mission activities.
The Hindu Business Line reported that discussions are now under way to restart technical-level meetings covering trade, customs, water-sharing, border management and consular affairs, where pending issues and longstanding disputes are expected to be addressed.
Before the political transition in August 2024, India issued approximately 6,000 to 7,000 visas daily to Bangladeshi nationals.
However, this number fell sharply to around 1,000 to 1,500 per day by early 2026, with most visas limited to medical and emergency categories.
The report added that diplomatic engagement has gradually improved following recent political developments in Dhaka.
Bangladesh also resumed issuing tourist visas to Indian citizens in February.
Bangladesh remains India's largest trading partner in South Asia, with Indian exports to Bangladesh estimated at $11.46 billion and imports at $2.05 billion in FY25.
