As regional collaboration progresses, India and Bangladesh appear committed to reinforcing ties through cooperative actions rather than just formal agreements
India has currently suspended tourist visa issuance for Bangladeshi citizens, a decision the Indian High Commission in Dhaka attributes to limited staffing resources. Visas are only being processed for urgent cases, such as medical needs and third-country travel.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Kumar Verma, clarified the situation during a recent media interaction following his meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin. “We are only issuing visas in cases of emergency due to limited human resources,” Verma noted, adding that routine tourist visa processing may resume once operations stabilize.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Taufiq Hasan stated that the discussions involved issues like Indian citizens working in Bangladesh under Indian loan-funded projects, visa facilitation for detained Bangladeshi fishermen, and expediting their repatriation
When questioned about the meeting’s agenda, including a possible discussion about former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India, Verma confirmed that the conversation remained focused on regular diplomatic topics. He highlighted India’s commitment to fostering “stable, positive, and constructive relations” with Bangladesh, emphasizing the mutual dependence of the two countries.
“Our interdependence with Bangladesh is crucial, and we are dedicated to strengthening this relationship for mutual development and security,” he said.
The talks also covered India’s interest in a foreign secretary-level meeting with Bangladesh by December to advance ongoing collaborative initiatives.
The two nations also discussed the renewal of travel arrangements and streamlined consular services to ensure smoother cross-border exchanges.
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