India assures easier visa for Bangladeshis within weeks
Diplomatic sources said priority is being given to resuming and easing medical visa services for Bangladeshi nationals
ATT Correspondent 
India has assured that visa procedures for Bangladeshi citizens, particularly for medical treatment and business travel, will be simplified within the next few weeks following high-level talks in New Delhi.
The assurance came during a meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on Wednesday.
The two ministers held discussions for over an hour on the second day of Rahman’s goodwill visit to India, including both delegation-level talks and a one-on-one meeting.
During the meeting, Jaishankar reiterated India’s interest in engaging constructively with Bangladesh’s new government and strengthening bilateral ties.
Diplomatic sources said priority is being given to resuming and easing medical visa services for Bangladeshi nationals.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar said in a post on X that both sides agreed to maintain close contact and deepen cooperation.
According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides reviewed proposals to strengthen their partnership through existing bilateral frameworks and expressed hope that the next round of formal talks would take place soon.
They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Rahman thanked India for arresting suspects involved in the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a leader of the Inquilab Mancha. Both sides agreed to proceed with repatriation of the accused under the existing extradition treaty.
The Bangladeshi side also requested the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who have taken shelter in India following political developments in Bangladesh.
This marks the first formal request for their return during talks in New Delhi since August 2024.
In a separate meeting later in the day, Rahman held talks with India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, where he thanked India for recent diesel supplies and requested an increase in fuel and fertiliser exports to Bangladesh. Puri assured that the matter would be considered positively.
The two sides also agreed to continue regular consultations on key bilateral issues.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has sent a letter to BJP President Nitin Nabin, which was handed over by BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir to BJP’s international affairs head Vijay Chauthaiwale during a meeting in New Delhi.
Officials say the latest engagements reflect renewed diplomatic efforts to strengthen Bangladesh-India relations across multiple sectors.
