Dhaka [Bangladesh], June 25 (HBTV): India will resume issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi nationals from Sunday, June 28, through five visa application centres across Bangladesh, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi announced on Thursday.
The move comes nearly two years after the Indian High Commission scaled down visa operations in Bangladesh due to security concerns.
'I am very happy to announce that we are resuming our normal visa applications for tourist visas, which can be submitted from Sunday, June 28, 2026. We will continue to facilitate medical visas and urgent visas on humanitarian grounds,' Trivedi said while addressing the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka.
He said tourist visas would initially be issued through five centres in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna, with plans to expand the service further.
'We hope that this will further strengthen the people-to-people ties between our sovereign nations,' Trivedi said.
Earlier in the day, the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner presented his credentials to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, where he was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honour.
The President expressed hope that Trivedi would contribute to strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure.
Following the ceremony, Trivedi visited the IVAC at Jamuna Future Park to inspect its operations before announcing the resumption of tourist visa services.
On August 5, 2024, the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhanmondi was ransacked and set on fire. Five Indian Visa Application Centres in different cities across Bangladesh also came under attack, while Indian personnel working on development projects reportedly faced threats.
Owing to the deteriorating security situation and attacks on its premises, the Indian High Commission scaled down its visa operations in Bangladesh.
However, recognising the humanitarian needs of patients seeking medical treatment in India, the High Commission continued operating visa centres in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi despite the security challenges.
India has been issuing more than 1,500 visas daily across all categories except tourist visas. Medical and other emergency visa applications have continued to receive priority, with special arrangements made to assist applicants requiring urgent travel.
Trivedi arrived in Dhaka by road on June 12, entering Bangladesh through the Petrapole-Benapole border crossing.
He succeeds Pranay Kumar Verma, who served as India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh for four years until May this year.
A former Member of Parliament from West Bengal's Barrackpore constituency, Trivedi also served as a Union minister in the UPA government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, holding portfolios as Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare before later serving as Railway Minister. (ANI)