Why Indian visa centres in Bangladesh are seeing a massive rush

If there was any doubt that a strain in ties or the prevailing anti-India sentiment has dented India's appeal among Bangladeshis, one only needs to look at the queues outside the Indian visa centre in Dhaka. India's move to resume tourist visas after a two-year freeze has sparked an overwhelming rush at the five centres across Bangladesh. In fact, within just 24 hours of the resumption of services, Indian visa centres received over 1.40 lakh applications. So, what's behind this sudden rush?

Despite turbulent ties, Bangladesh cannot ignore its geographical reality. It shares a border over 4,000 km long with India. In fact, Kolkata is closer to Dhaka than several other Bangladeshi districts to the capital. For Bangladesh's middle class, India is a one-stop solution for affordable medical treatment, wedding shopping, or visiting relatives in Bengal, Assam, or Tripura.

WHY INDIA MATTERS TO BANGLADESH?

Thus, practical necessities and deep social, cultural and economic links continue to bind the neighbours. Moreover, few destinations can match the convenience and affordability that India offers.

It is why within hours of India resuming its tourist visa services on June 28, massive, snake-like queues have taken over five centres in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet, and Khulna. The move, announced by Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, comes as both countries seek to reset ties.

The India-Bangladesh relationship hit a nadir following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 amid a student-led uprising. During the unrest, the Indian visa centres were attacked, and employees were threatened. It led India to freeze tourist visas. Medical visas, however, continued to be issued under limited capacity.

For almost two years since then, ties cratered under interim chief Muhammad Yunus, who warmed up to Pakistan and gave space to anti-India sentiment. It reached a peak in December last year, when a large mob marched towards the Indian embassy in Dhaka following the murder of anti-India leader Osman Hadi.

While things have stabilised under new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, ties still remain frosty over issues like illegal immigration and sharing of waters.

WHY ARE VISA CENTRES SEEING HUGE CROWDS?

Over the past three days, serpentine queues stretching well over a kilometre were visible outside the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka's Jamuna Future Park, suggesting the massive pent-up demand.

So far, only five such centres have been operationalised. Before August 2024, India operated 16 visa application centres across Bangladesh.

"India is our neighbouring country. Our relations had always been warm. However, it came under strain due to some misunderstanding. We have to move forward while keeping friendly relations with India. Several of our relatives live across the border," a visa applicant said.

Tourist visas are not only availed by Bangladeshis to travel to India. With medical visas limited, tourist visas provide broader access to Indian hospitals and medical care.

For Shafiqul, the resumption of tourist visas is a lifesaver. For weeks, his bid to secure a medical visa for his ailing wife and mother has been hit by long delays and alleged harassment by middlemen.

The numbers spell out the reality. Between April 2023 and March 2024, more than 21 lakh Bangladeshis visited India, accounting for 20% of all foreign tourist arrivals. After the freeze, that figure fell to 4,70,000 in 2025. Most travelled on medical visas.

Before the strain in ties, Bangladesh accounted for 70-75% of all medical visas issued by India. As ties deteriorated, Bangladeshis opted for alternatives such as China, Thailand, and Singapore. But these destinations proved to be too costly for the Bangladeshi middle class.

The reality is India provides Bangladesh with the geography of survival. Healthcare remains one of the biggest drivers.

Thousands of Bangladeshis travel every year to India for specialised treatment and surgeries in hospitals in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Guwahati.

Kolkata is among the preferred destinations due to no language or food barriers. Another key factor is the availability of Bengali-speaking doctors and easy connectivity.

The frantic rush has invited criticism from exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen.

"I want to know how many of these people chanted 'Delhi, not Dhaka' slogan? How many wanted to seize the Chicken's Neck? How many wanted to wage war against India? How many trampled on the Indian flag? How many hate Hindus? How many consider India an enemy? And how many among them are anti-India?" Nasreen posted on Facebook.

GOOD NEWS FOR BUSINESSES IN BENGAL

The resumption of tourist visas is also good news for businesses in Bengal, especially travel agencies and hotels.

In the past two years, Kolkata's 'mini Bangladesh', the bustling commercial and hospitality hub near central Kolkata's New Market, have seen a dip in business. This area used to be the epicentre of Bangladeshi economic activity.

Several who came for medical treatment used to put up at the affordable hotels in the area. The restaurants also served "opaar Bangla (Bangladeshi)" cuisine. New Market, one of the biggest shopping hubs in the city, has always been a go-to destination for Bangladeshi tourists.

Amid the strain in ties, the area felt the ripple effect of the turmoil. Between 2024 2025, businesses incurred losses amounting to Rs 1,000 crore.

Against this backdrop, the scramble outside Indian visa centres in Bangladesh is more than just a visa story. For Bangladesh's burgeoning middle class, India has long been the first choice for medical treatment and shopping.

Thus, despite an unease in ties, the pull of India among Bangladeshis remains as strong as ever.

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