The High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi who formally presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin in Dhaka on Thursday the 25th of June 2026, his status has now been elevated to that of Cabinet Minister in Government of India.
The Union Home Ministry issued necessary notification on Wednesday the 24th of June 2026.
After formally assuming charge of India’s diplomatic mission in sensitive Bangladesh, the news agency UNI was reporting on its website that Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has started process to issue general travel visas for Bangladeshi citizens.
The move is being seen by diplomats and analysts as part of a broader effort by New Delhi to restore normal people-to-people exchanges and inject momentum into a relationship that has faced strains since a “colour revolution” in August 2024 brought turmoil to Bangladesh.
Speaking at the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka’s Jamuna Future Park, Trivedi, a politician-turned-diplomat who has been India’s railway minister, announced that India would once again begin accepting applications for general travel visas from June 28.
“I am very happy to be able to announce the launch of general travel visas again. Visa applications can be submitted starting June 28. Urgent medical visas will continue to be provided for humanitarian reasons,” he said.
The Indian envoy said visa services would initially be available through centres in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet, and Khulna, with plans for more expansion in the future.
The reopening marks the most significant relaxation of India’s visa regime for Bangladeshis since it was reduced to only emergency visas in the aftermath of the burning down of India’s cultural centre in Dhaka in the aftermath of the change in government in 2024.
While emergency medical visas continued to be issued, broader travel categories had remained restricted, hitting tourism, family visits, education, and business travel.
While some 17.5 lakh Bangladeshis visited India according to official figures in 2024, the figure fell to 4.7 lakh in 2025, causing hardship to millions of ordinary people.
India has traditionally been one of the most accessible foreign destinations for Bangladeshis, for a variety of reasons ranging from medical treatment, shopping, tourism, and education.
The UNI report added that the announcement on travel visas came within hours of Trivedi formally assuming his diplomatic role by presenting his credentials to President Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, the presidential palace.
