A Major Breakthrough: Tourist Visas Resume on June 28
In a highly anticipated diplomatic move, the Government of India has officially announced the re-introduction of tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens, ending a near-total suspension that lasted for nearly two years. India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, confirmed that the process of issuing tourist visas for Bangladeshis will formally resume starting from June 28, 2026.This decision marks a significant milestone in efforts to normalize bilateral relations and restore robust people-to-people connectivity between the two neighboring nations.
The suspension originally took effect on August 8, 2024, amidst a period of political transition and ensuing security concerns in Dhaka. Over the past two years, travel between the two countries saw a severe decline, severely impacting families, cross-border tourism, and regional commerce. During this restricted period, Indian visa services were operating at merely 15–20% of their usual capacity, strictly prioritizing emergency medical cases and urgent business travel.
How the Visa Services Will Be Restored
While the announcement has sparked widespread relief, authorities have indicated that the restoration of tourist visas will be progressive.As of May 2026, limited appointment slots were being offered through five specific Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) locations—Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna.
“The process of issuing tourist visas for Bangladeshis will resume from Jun 28,” stated High Commissioner Trivedi, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to easing cross-border movement.
The phased approach ensures that application centers are not immediately overwhelmed.Bangladesh has already fully resumed issuing visas to Indian citizens across all categories—including tourism, business, and medical—having granted over 13,000 visas to Indians since restoring their own operations in late February 2026.India is now reciprocating these measures as confidence and administrative capacities stabilize.
Rebuilding Trust and Economic Ties
The sweeping visa restrictions heavily dented the tourism sectors of both economies.The number of Bangladeshi visitors to India plummeted drastically from 2.12 million in 2023 to just 470,000 in 2025 The reopening of the borders for tourism is expected to provide an immediate economic stimulus to airlines, the hospitality industry, retail sectors, and medical tourism hubs across India, particularly in border states.
Politically, the move represents a broader recalibration of bilateral ties. Relations are currently navigating a new chapter under the administration of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, whose swearing-in ceremony in February 2026 was notably attended by a high-level Indian delegation. The arrival of High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi to Dhaka, paired with recent economic cooperation such as India transporting diesel to Bangladesh to ease energy shortages, signals a strong mutual desire to rebuild strategic cooperation, stability, and people-first diplomacy in South Asia.
