India Restores Travel Visas for Bangladesh Nationals as Dinesh Trivedi Takes Charge in Dhaka

India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Dhaka Dinesh Trivedi on Thursday formally assumed office and announced the resumption of general travel visas for Bangladeshi nationals , marking a significant diplomatic and people-to-people outreach step between India and Bangladesh after nearly two years of restricted mobility.

Trivedi, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party , presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, officially beginning his diplomatic assignment. A ceremonial guard of honour was accorded by the President Guard Regiment, underscoring the formal start of his tenure.

Immediately after assuming charge, he visited the Indian Visa Centre in Dhaka and announced that general travel visa applications would reopen from June 28, 2026 . He said visas would be processed through five centres, Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna with further expansion planned in the future.

According to additional diplomatic updates, India has aligned this move with a phased reopening strategy following earlier restrictions imposed amid security concerns and strained bilateral relations. While emergency medical visas will continue uninterrupted, tourism and general travel categories are being restored as part of a gradual normalisation process.

Separately, official sources confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has granted Trivedi ceremonial status equivalent to a Union Cabinet minister , reflecting the diplomatic significance attached to the posting.

Trivedi had arrived in Bangladesh earlier via the Benapole–Petrapole land route and succeeded career diplomat Pranay Kumar Verma after a period of political transition in Dhaka and evolving India–Bangladesh relations.

The development is being viewed as a calibrated diplomatic reset , aimed at restoring connectivity, travel, and institutional engagement between the two neighbours.