India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi nationals, marking a significant step towards normalizing relations between the two neighbouring countries after nearly two years of diplomatic tensions.
New Delhi began accepting tourist visa applications from Bangladeshis on Sunday, almost two years after visa services were suspended following the political unrest that led to the resignation of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who later sought refuge in India.
Although Hasina’s continued stay in India has remained a source of diplomatic sensitivity, bilateral relations have shown signs of improvement since the new Bangladeshi government, led by Prime Minister Tariq Rahman, lifted visa restrictions on Indian nationals in February.
In another indication of India’s renewed engagement with Bangladesh, New Delhi recently elevated Dinesh Trivedi, who assumed office last month as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, to cabinet minister rank.
Commenting on the development, Sriradha Dutta, Professor of International Relations at O.P. Jindal Global University, said the resumption of tourist visas is an encouraging sign that broader bilateral cooperation is likely to improve.
She expressed confidence that cross-border trade and other areas of cooperation would gradually recover, adding that the move could also benefit Bangladesh’s exports to international markets.
Last year, India withdrew the transshipment facility that allowed Bangladesh to transport exports to third countries through Indian land ports, customs stations, and airports. Observers say the latest developments indicate efforts by both countries to rebuild economic and diplomatic cooperation.
