India announced it will resume issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi citizens starting June 28, nearly two years after the suspension of such services amid strained bilateral relations. The announcement was made by Dinesh Trivedi, India's newly appointed high commissioner to Dhaka, during a press briefing on Thursday. He expressed hope that the resumption of visa processing would help strengthen ties between the two neighboring countries.

The suspension of tourist visa issuance followed a significant political upheaval in Bangladesh in August 2024, when Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi and then the country’s leader, was ousted in a revolt. Since the uprising, Hasina has reportedly been living in hiding in India. Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition, and she has been sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladeshi courts.

Following Hasina’s removal, an interim administration took control of Bangladesh until recent parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who secured a decisive victory, assumed leadership, marking a shift in the country's political landscape. This change has contributed to an easing of tensions between India and Bangladesh, paving the way for the restoration of consular services such as tourist visa issuance.

The resumption of visas is seen as a step toward enhancing people-to-people connections and improving diplomatic relations, which had been significantly affected by the political turmoil and the diplomatic friction surrounding Hasina’s exile. Both India and Bangladesh share a long history of close cultural, social, and economic interactions, which the latest development aims to revive.