Indo-Bangla Full Visa Services to Resume Shortly

Dhaka and New Delhi have initiated formal steps to resume comprehensive visa operations, marking a significant milestone in restoring bilateral relations following eighteen months of diplomatic friction. While Bangladesh has already commenced issuing all categories of visas to Indian nationals, India is expected to return to full-scale visa processing within the coming weeks.

Diplomatic Context and Recent Tensions

The diplomatic rift between the two neighbours intensified following the collapse of the Awami League-led government during the mass protests in July 2024. Relations reached a nadir in December 2023 following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the ‘Inqilab Mancha’. Following reports of Hadi’s death while undergoing treatment in Singapore, unrest broke out on 18 December, leading to attacks on two newspaper offices and the Chhayanaut building in Dhaka.

Simultaneously, protesters gathered outside the Assistant High Commission of India in Chattogram, where stones were reportedly thrown at the mission. In response to security concerns, the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chattogram suspended operations on 21 December. Bangladesh reciprocated the following day by suspending visa and consular services at its missions in New Delhi and Agartala.

Thawing Relations and Political Transition

The geopolitical atmosphere began to shift following the 13th General Election in Bangladesh, which saw a landslide victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). On 13 February, even before the final results were fully declared, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement congratulating Tarique Rahman. This was followed by a telephonic conversation between the two leaders later that afternoon, during which Prime Minister Modi expressed his intent to collaborate on matters of mutual interest.

Although Prime Minister Modi was unable to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government due to the ‘AI Impact Summit’, India was represented at the event by Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Current Status of Visa Services

During his visit to New Delhi in April, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, prioritised the normalisation of visa procedures as a key agenda item. Bangladesh has already restored services across its missions in India. Riaz Hamidullah, the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to India, confirmed that although some centres were temporarily closed in December, they were fully operational by February.

Diplomatic sources indicate that the full restoration of Indian visa services in Bangladesh is contingent upon the arrival of the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi.

Status of Consular Operations by Region

Future Outlook

The resumption of full visa services is viewed as a primary metric for the normalisation of ties. With Bangladesh already processing all visa categories for Indian citizens, Dhaka is awaiting a reciprocal move from New Delhi. It is anticipated that once High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi assumes his post, the administrative hurdles currently affecting thousands of travellers will be resolved, facilitating a return to pre-2024 levels of cross-border movement and diplomatic engagement.