BD proposes visa-free travel to India

Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. AK Abdul Momen, disclosed that the issue of visa-free travel between Bangladesh and India was raised during discussions with the Indian Foreign Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar.

This proposal was presented at a meeting on the sidelines of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) conference in Colombo recently.

Dr Momen said this during the weekly briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

Dr. Momen expressed concerns regarding the delays in obtaining Indian visas, particularly for medical purposes, and emphasised the need for smoother, more efficient processes.

“One of my familiar persons wants to go to India for treatment.

But he is not getting an Indian visa. He sent me a text requesting for a visa.

I then showed the text to Jaishankar. I told him that currently people are not getting visa.

He told me that he would talk to his high commission.

I told him that the High Commission issues many visas.

But currently we get a lot of requests for it. We don’t like such requests,” Momen said.

“I then conveyed the desire for visa-free travel between the two neighboring nations,” he said.

Asked about what was the reply of the Indian Foreign Minister, Dr Momen said, “He did not say no.

But it needs more assessment.”

Regarding the recent meetings held in Sylhet and Indian Shilchar, he said, “The connectivity between Bangladesh and India has increased in various dimensions.

They are using our ports.

We have proposed to start Sylhet-Shilchar bus service.

They have agreed in principle.”