India has announced the resumption of tourist visa services for Bangladeshi nationals from June 28, nearly two years after the facility was suspended following attacks on Indian diplomatic establishments in Bangladesh.
The announcement was made by India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, during his visit to the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka. He stated that regular tourist visa applications would once again be accepted starting June 28, marking a significant step towards restoring normal travel between the two neighbouring countries.
Initially, tourist visa applications will be processed through five Indian Visa Application Centres located in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna. Officials indicated that the service could be expanded to additional centres in the future.
India will continue to prioritize medical visas and other urgent travel requests on humanitarian grounds, ensuring that essential travel needs are addressed without disruption.
Tourist visa services were suspended in August 2024 after a period of political unrest and security concerns in Bangladesh. During the disturbances, several Indian facilities reportedly came under attack, including the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka. Multiple Indian Visa Application Centres were also affected, prompting India to scale back visa operations.
Despite the suspension of tourist visas, India continued issuing visas under other categories, including medical and emergency travel permits, processing more than 1,500 applications daily.
Earlier on Thursday, Dinesh Trivedi formally assumed his diplomatic responsibilities by presenting his credentials to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, the presidential residence in Dhaka. He was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honour.
The restoration of tourist visa services is being viewed as an important move toward strengthening people-to-people ties, encouraging travel, and enhancing bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh.
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