India has announced a further scale-up of its visa operations in Bangladesh following a massive surge in demand after the resumption of Indian tourist visas, which had been suspended for nearly two years. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka confirmed the move on Friday via a Facebook post, citing an overwhelming response from Bangladeshi nationals wishing to travel to India for various purposes.
High Commission Statement and Commitment
“We are truly encouraged by the overwhelming response from those wishing to travel to India for various purposes,” the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said in its Facebook post. “As we continue to expand our visa services and make the application process smoother and more convenient, we sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation.” The High Commission emphasized its commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties and deepening the enduring friendship between India and Bangladesh.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by Bangladeshi society, including business leaders. Ashraful Haq Chowdhury, President of the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SABCCI), told ANI: “It’s a very good news for us, for the people of Bangladesh, in my opinion. Because the relationship between Bangladesh and India is historical and we wanted to continue this relationship for our business, for our industry, for our tourism, for our health and also so many other areas.” He added that expanded visa services would benefit trade, investment, aviation, and railway sectors, enabling freer movement between the two countries.
Resumption of Tourist Visas and Surge in Applications
Tourist visas resumed on June 28, 2026, after a two-year closure. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi made the announcement on June 25 after presenting his credentials to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Following the resumption, India Visa Application Centers (IVACs) across Bangladesh became active again. In Dhaka, long queues of applicants were seen outside the IVAC at Jamuna Future Park, with many expressing satisfaction that tourist visas had resumed.
Prior to the resumption, India had been issuing over 1,500 visas daily across all categories except tourist visas, with medical and emergency visas processed on priority. Humanitarian needs, particularly for Bangladeshi patients seeking medical treatment in India, were a key consideration in maintaining visa operations despite security challenges.
Background: Security Challenges and Reduced Operations
On August 5, 2024, the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhanmondi was ransacked and burned down. Five IVACs in different cities came under attack, and Indian personnel working on development projects were threatened. Due to security threats, the High Commission was forced to scale down visa operations. However, visa centers in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, and Rajshahi continued to operate to address humanitarian needs.
New High Commissioner and Diplomatic Engagement
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi arrived in Dhaka by road on June 12, entering through the Petrapole-Benapole border. He succeeded Pranay Kumar Verma, who served for four years until May 2026. Trivedi, a former Member of Parliament from West Bengal’s Barrackpore and a former Union Minister during the UPA era, presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. The President welcomed Trivedi and expressed hope that he would contribute to further developing bilateral relations. After the credential ceremony, Trivedi visited the IVAC at Jamuna Future Park to inspect visa activities and announced the resumption of tourist visas.
