Dhaka and New Delhi have moved towards the full restoration of visa services, marking a significant development in efforts to normalise bilateral relations following approximately eighteen months of diplomatic strain. Bangladesh has already resumed issuing all categories of visas for Indian nationals, while India is expected to return to full-scale visa operations within the coming weeks.
During a visit to New Delhi in April this year, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman raised several bilateral issues, with visa normalisation placed among the highest priorities on the agenda. The discussion reflected the broader objective of restoring regular consular and travel arrangements between the two countries.
At present, Bangladesh’s visa application centres in New Delhi, Kolkata, Agartala, Chennai, and other locations remain operational. Dhaka has expressed interest in the swift normalisation of reciprocal services and has sought timely administrative measures from the Indian side to restore full functionality.
Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, stated that certain visa operations had been temporarily suspended in December last year but were subsequently reinstated in February. He confirmed that services resumed after the brief disruption.
Diplomatic sources indicate that India’s visa services may return to full operation following the assumption of duties by its new High Commissioner in Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi. However, no formal timeline has been publicly announced beyond expectations of restoration within the coming weeks.
Key Developments in Visa Operations and Diplomatic Context
| Period | Development |
|---|---|
| July 2024 | Political changes in Bangladesh led to a cooling of bilateral diplomatic relations |
| December 2024 | Temporary suspension of some visa application centre operations |
| 18 December | Protests and incidents in Dhaka following a high-profile death case |
| 21 December | Suspension of visa application centre operations in Chattogram |
| Late December | Reciprocal suspension of visa and consular services by both sides |
| February 2026 | Bangladesh High Commission resumes visa and consular services in New Delhi |
| April 2026 | High-level discussions in New Delhi prioritise visa normalisation |
| Expected (next weeks) | India anticipated to resume full visa operations |
Tensions between the two countries intensified following political developments in July 2024, which led to a shift in the bilateral diplomatic environment. The situation further deteriorated in December after a series of incidents, including protests outside diplomatic premises and temporary disruptions to visa-related operations in both countries.
Subsequently, India’s visa application centre in Chattogram suspended operations on 21 December until further notice. In response, Bangladesh suspended visa and consular services from its missions in New Delhi and Agartala the following day.
The diplomatic situation began to stabilise after political developments in Bangladesh’s domestic landscape, including general elections. Following the election outcome, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement congratulating Bangladesh’s political leadership in February. He later held a telephone conversation in which bilateral cooperation was discussed.
India also received an invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government. However, the Ministry of External Affairs in India stated that the Prime Minister was unable to attend due to commitments at the AI Impact Summit, and the country was represented instead by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla.
Following these developments, Bangladesh resumed visa and consular services in New Delhi in February. With both sides gradually restoring normal diplomatic engagement, India is now expected to return to full-scale visa operations within the coming weeks, completing a phased process of service normalisation between the two countries.