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Published : 29 Sep 2025, 09:54 PM
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has said the visa process will return to “normal” if the situation “improves”.
On Monday evening, after attending Durga Puja celebrations at Tangail’s Mirzapur, he said Bangladesh and India share similarities in how they celebrate the festival and expressed hope that it would brighten the lives of people in both countries and bring a better future.
When asked about Indian visas, Verma said medical visas remain open and are being issued in “significant numbers” for Bangladeshis travelling to India.
He added that once conditions stabilise, other visa categories would be restored.
Since the ouster of the Awami League government, bilateral ties have faced strains, with India restricting visas except for medical or urgent purposes.
Medical visas are also being issued on a limited scale. Limited operations at five visa application centres have also hindered applicants from submitting requests.
Many Bangladeshis travel to India for treatment of cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders, reproductive health issues, and other medical conditions.
Precise figures of patients are not maintained by Bangladesh authorities, but reports from The Print, citing the Indian government, indicate that around 1.6 million visas were issued to Bangladeshis in 2023, including 450,000 medical visas.
Some patients travel on tourist visas for medical purposes, suggesting the actual number is higher.
By August 2024, India had issued 800,000 visas across 15 categories to Bangladeshis, including 200,000 medical visas.
Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain had previously noted that India has the sovereign right to grant or deny visas.
“If a country decides not to issue visas to someone or a particular group, that decision cannot be questioned. It is entirely up to them,” he said.
“We hope they will inform us of their decision or take steps to ensure that those seeking visas can obtain them.”
