India has started issuing business visas for Bangladeshi citizens again. Urgent applications will receive fast-track processing, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma announced on Wednesday.

Verma made the announcement at Pharma Connect, a networking event held at the Indian High Commission in Baridhara, Dhaka. Entrepreneurs and officials from leading Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies attended the gathering.

High Commissioner Verma said some visa centres were temporarily closed due to security concerns and capacity constraints. Despite limited staff, the mission has now resumed processing a substantial number of visas daily.

"We have started issuing business visas again. We are trying to fast-track urgent applications," Verma said. He added that business visa applicants can contact the Economic and Commercial Secretary of the High Commission directly for help.

Bangladeshi business leaders at the event urged Indian authorities to ease longstanding visa complications. They also requested simpler cross-border movement of goods through land routes.

The event was organised ahead of Bangladesh's participation in CPHI–PMEC India 2025, a world-renowned pharmaceutical exhibition scheduled in New Delhi from 25 to 27 November.

Abdul Muktadir, President of the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industry Association and Managing Director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals, said initiatives like Pharma Connect could strengthen technology transfer, research collaboration and supply chain connectivity between the two countries.

Muktadir noted that Bangladesh's raw material industry is growing, though India remains far ahead. Importing raw materials from India through the shared land border would make Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products more competitive, he added.

Association Secretary General Dr Zakir Hossain said visa complications have limited Bangladeshi participation this year. Only 83 applications were submitted for CPHI–PMEC, compared to several hundred professionals who normally attend.

Dr Zakir Hossain requested easier business visa procedures and urged authorities to consider applicants under special arrangements.