Tourist visa to India resumes soon

India is continuing its efforts to restore tourist visa services for Bangladeshi citizens, the Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the envoy said discussions were ongoing, but no specific timeline had yet been set.

“Efforts are continuing,” Verma said. “When the visa service resumes, it will be announced.”

Earlier this month, the High Commissioner had indicated that visa operations between the two countries could soon return to normal.

Diplomatic sources note that while Bangladesh has recently reopened visa services for Indian citizens at its mission in New Delhi following the assumption of office by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party government, Indian tourist visas for Bangladeshis remain limited.

The restrictions date back to the final period of the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, when several categories of visas were curtailed.

During Monday’s meeting, Verma also discussed energy cooperation between India and Bangladesh.

“We discussed cross-border power and energy connectivity and ways to strengthen it,” he said. “We also reviewed ongoing projects.”

Officials in Dhaka said diplomatic efforts are underway to restore full visa services, including tourist visas, between the neighbouring countries.