The new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tariq Rahman has taken a big decision to improve relations with India. Delhi-based Bangladesh High Commission on Friday (20 February 2026) reinstated visa services for the people of India, which were suspended by the Mohammad Yunus government about two months ago.
All categories of visas have been restored for Indian citizens, including medical and tourist visas. There was no ban on business and work visas in December last year. According to India Today report, services were restored on Friday (February 20) morning. This decision was taken three days after the BNP-led government came to power, which is a sign of improvement in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Senior Consular Officer of India in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Aniruddha Das said on Thursday (19 February 2026) that the process of completely restoring all visa services for Bangladeshi citizens has been started. According to BD News24, he said, ‘Medical and double-entry visas are currently being issued. Steps are being taken to restart other categories of visas including travel. He said that India-Bangladesh relations are based on mutual respect and common interests.
After Tariq Rahman became the Prime Minister, Bangladesh has entered a new political era. Tension had arisen between the two countries after the assassination of radical political activist Sharif Usman bin Hadi in Bangladesh. In December 2025, consular and visa services between the two countries were stopped in view of diplomatic tensions.
After receiving information about Hadi’s death during treatment in Singapore, on the night of 18 December, a group of protesters demonstrated in front of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong and threw stones. After this, India suspended work there from December 21 till further orders.
