New Government, New Start? Dhaka Ends Visa Freeze, Moves To Stabilise Ties With India | Exclusive

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 15:28 IST

Visa operations had been partially suspended since December 2025 during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, as ties between the two neighbours grew strained

In a significant diplomatic development, Bangladesh has fully resumed all visa and consular services at its missions in India, ending a nearly two-month suspension that had marked a low point in bilateral ties.

The resumption, effective February 20, applies to all categories, including tourist, medical, business, work and other visas, at Bangladesh’s missions in New Delhi, Agartala and Siliguri. All services had previously been restricted or suspended amid a diplomatic standoff.

The move comes just three days after Tarique Rahman was sworn in as prime minister of Bangladesh on February 17, following his party’s decisive electoral victory. Government sources described the decision as one of the new administration’s first major foreign policy steps aimed at stabilising relations with India.

End Of A Two-Month Standoff

Visa operations had been partially suspended since December 2025 during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, as ties between the two neighbours grew strained. The freeze affected travel for thousands of people, including patients seeking medical treatment, students, businesspersons and families with cross-border ties.

Diplomatic observers had described the suspension as one of the most visible signs of deteriorating relations between New Delhi and Dhaka in recent years.

With the full restoration of services, Bangladeshi missions in India have resumed processing all pending and fresh applications across categories.

A Deliberate Diplomatic Signal

Top government sources indicated that the move is being viewed as a deliberate outreach from the new BNP-led government under Rahman to reset ties with New Delhi after the uncertainty of the interim phase.

“This is among the first tangible foreign policy decisions of the new government," a senior official said, adding that normalising mobility and people-to-people contact was a priority.

The development also follows reciprocal signals from India. A senior consular representative confirmed that New Delhi is taking steps to fully restore visa services for Bangladeshi nationals in Bangladesh as well.

Political Shift and What’s Next

Rahman’s swearing-in marks a major political shift in Bangladesh, ending the interim period and ushering in a government with a strong parliamentary majority. Analysts say early diplomatic gestures such as restoring visa services are aimed at reassuring regional partners of policy continuity and stability.

India, for its part, is understood to be keen on rebuilding momentum in the relationship. Officials are awaiting Rahman’s response to an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a visit to India—a potential next step in recalibrating bilateral engagement.

For now, the reopening of visa services is being seen as a practical and symbolic reset, signalling that after weeks of uncertainty, the two neighbours may be moving toward a more stable phase in their relationship.

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