Dinesh Trivedi announces resumption of Indian tourist visas for Bangladeshis from June 28
Mir Afroz Zaman
After a long period of stagnation and uncertainty, the announcement of the resumption of Indian tourist visas for Bangladeshis has instilled new hope in the relationship between the two countries.
The new Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi, after presenting his identity card to President Mohammad Shahabuddin on Thursday, has sparked new discussions in the diplomatic arena by announcing the decision to introduce tourist visas from June 28.
Analysts say that this announcement at the beginning of taking charge is not just a visa-related administrative decision; rather, it also carries a political message of rebuilding relations between Dhaka and Delhi.
India has long been one of the most popular travel destinations for Bangladeshis. There was a huge demand for Indian visas in all fields - medical, business, education and tourism.
But the Indian visa activities were significantly limited in 2025 due to various political and security reasons. Thousands of Bangladeshis hoping to travel, especially since tourist visas were practically closed, were in trouble.
At that time, although medical, emergency family and limited business visas were in operation, the opportunities for general tourists were very limited. As a result, travel by Bangladeshis to popular tourist destinations like Kolkata, Darjeeling, Delhi, Agra, Kashmir or South India decreased significantly.
In an exceptional decision in India's diplomatic history, former Railway Minister and veteran politician Dinesh Trivedi has been appointed as the High Commissioner to Dhaka.
According to diplomatic circles, keeping in mind the new reality of relations with Bangladesh, New Delhi has sent a politically experienced person to Dhaka instead of a professional diplomat.
Trivedi's intimate knowledge of the Bengali language and culture, long experience in West Bengal politics and insight into the regional politics of South Asia make him particularly important for this responsibility.
According to analysts, the decision to reintroduce tourist visas has three implications.
First, it will pave the way for restoring direct contact between the people of the two countries.
Secondly, it will help rebuild trust between Bangladesh and India.
Thirdly, it will have a positive impact on border trade, tourism industry and regional economy.
Travel traders say that the first beneficiaries of the tourist visa will be tourists traveling with families, those interested in short-term trips besides medical treatment, students and guardians, religious and cultural tourists, travel agencies and airlines.
Hundreds of thousands of people from Bangladesh travel to India every year for various reasons. As a result, the economic impact of this decision can also be significant.
Many see the prioritization of visa issues at the beginning of taking office as part of 'soft diplomacy'.
The idea that Delhi is emphasizing people-centric initiatives to reduce the distance that has recently emerged between the two countries is gaining strength in diplomatic circles.
According to experts, visa facilitation is the most visible diplomatic step to the common man. As a result, it can also serve as a symbol of improving relations.
If the tourist visa process starts in full swing from June 28, the number of applicants at Indian visa centers is likely to increase rapidly. At the same time, there is a possibility of a new momentum in the aviation and tourism sectors.
However, the speed of the visa process, the time to dispose of applications and the approval rate will also become important.
The announcement of the introduction of tourist visas as the first major step by the new Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka,
