New Delhi: In a major diplomatic development, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Friday restarted visa services for Indian citizens after a suspension of nearly two months. The move comes within days of Tarique Rahman assuming office as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and is being viewed as an early signal of Dhaka’s willingness to recalibrate relations with New Delhi.
Consular operations had been halted in December amid a sharp downturn in bilateral ties. The latest decision to resume services suggests an attempt by the new leadership in Dhaka to restore normalcy and rebuild trust between the two neighbours.
Visa services fully restored for Indians
Sources said the Bangladesh High Commission resumed consular operations on Friday morning, restoring all visa categories for Indian nationals. While business and work visas had continued even during the suspension, other categories such as medical and tourism visas were put on hold. These have now been reinstated.
The restoration comes against the backdrop of recent political changes in Bangladesh. Observers say the step reflects a desire on the part of Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party to stabilise ties with India at an early stage of his tenure.
Background of diplomatic strain
Relations between the two countries deteriorated in December after the murder of anti-India student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. His death triggered large-scale protests in Bangladesh, with reports of anti-India elements participating in huge numbers. Incidents targeting members of the Hindu community and cases of lynching further heightened tensions, complicating diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Since Muhammad Yunus stepped down and Rahman took charge, there have been signs of a gradual reset in bilateral engagement.
India signals reciprocal move
A day before the High Commission’s announcement, Aniruddha Das, India’s senior consular officer in Sylhet, told Bangladeshi media that New Delhi was also in the process of restoring all visa services for Bangladeshi citizens. He said that medical and double-entry visas are currently being issued and that other categories, including travel visas, will resume soon. He added that all types of Indian visas will soon be issued normally.
The diplomatic outreach gained further momentum this week when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Birla handed over a letter from Modi and extended an invitation for Rahman to visit India.
It remains unclear whether Rahman will choose India for his first overseas visit as Prime Minister. Traditionally, Bangladeshi leaders have made New Delhi their first foreign destination. Last year, however, Yunus departed from that practice by travelling to China first, a move that reportedly caused unease in India.