India today announced the resumption of tourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals after nearly two years, with applications set to open from Sunday, restoring its regular visa operations in Bangladesh.

“I am happy to announce that we are resuming our normal visa operation. Applications for tourist visas can be submitted from Sunday,” Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said.

The envoy made the announcement while visiting the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park in the capital after presenting his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban.

Trivedi said India would continue to facilitate medical visas in urgent cases on humanitarian grounds.

“I called on the Hon’ble President of Bangladesh and presented my credentials today. I am coming straight to the Indian Visa Application Centre to inspect its operations. It is heartening to see such a large footfall of people here at IVAC,” the High Commissioner said.

He said visas would continue to be issued through the five IVACs located in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna.

“We will further scale up our operations in other cities gradually,” he added.

“We hope that this will further strengthen the people-to-people ties between our two sovereign nations,” Trivedi observed.

The resumption of tourist visas comes after India scaled down its visa operations in Bangladesh following the security situation that emerged after August 5, 2024.

According to the Indian High Commission, the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhanmondi was vandalised and set on fire, while five Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in different cities came under attack. Indian personnel engaged in development projects were also reportedly threatened, prompting the High Commission to curtail visa services because of security concerns.

Despite those challenges, India continued operating its visa centres in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi to address humanitarian needs, particularly for Bangladeshi patients seeking medical treatment.

During the period, the High Commission said it issued more than 1,500 visas daily across all categories except tourist visas, giving priority to medical and other emergency cases. It also introduced special arrangements to facilitate applicants with urgent travel requirements.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has accorded Trivedi the rank and status equivalent to that of a Union Cabinet Minister for ceremonial purposes, granting him higher protocol status in India's Table of Precedence.

According to an office memorandum issued by India's Ministry of Home Affairs on June 24, the status has been conferred as a personal measure for the High Commissioner.

The memorandum clarified that the special status would apply only to ceremonial functions.