Hinting at a thaw in relations, India has decided to restart issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi nationals with immediate effect. The process, which was stalled for nearly two years following the uprising which ousted the Sheikh Hasina government, was announced by Dinesh Trivedi, India's new high commissioner to Bangladesh.
“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,” Trivedi told journalists on arrival at Dhaka.
Visas will initially be issued through five centres — Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna — with operations expected to expand further in the future. “We hope that this will further strengthen the people-to-people ties between our two sovereign nations,” Trivedi said.
The move assumes significance, as India made an unprecedented decision by conferring on Trivedi the rank of cabinet minister. A government notification issued on Wednesday said Trivedi has been assigned the equivalent status of "Union Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence (ToP) as a measure personal to him, without amending the Table of Precedence. The position in the Table of Precedence is for ceremonial functions only," it added.
Analysts believe these decisions indicate the gradual normalisation of relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, which became strained after the fall of the Awami League government. Both countries imposed restrictions on trade and visa services during the period of tension, and the relations had hit rock bottom. However, India’s decision to send a seasoned politician to Dhaka comes at a time when both sides are trying to mend bilateral relations.
Interestingly, this comes as Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman embarked on a trip to China, his maiden trip. Rahman was warmly welcomed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Dhaka’s decision to seek Chinese cooperation in Bangladesh's Teesta management project had hogged attention. Bangladesh is working on a river management project on the Teesta, and China has shown great interest in providing financing and technical assistance. China's 'Power China' company has also been conducting surveys in Bangladesh for about three years, causing concerns in India.
The Chinese media had interpreted Rahman’s visit as a reflection of Dhaka's high priority in developing relations with China. Rahman will also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the last day of his visit to China on Friday.
