India’s Ministry of External Affairs has decided to issue more medical visas to Bangladeshi citizens starting Sunday (August 10). This decision has sparked hope among Indian business owners, especially in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi, who were severely affected when Bangladeshis’ travel to India dropped after visa policy changes in August 2024.
More Medical Visas for Bangladeshis from August 10
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has announced that Bangladeshi citizens will now receive a higher number of medical visas. The policy will take effect from Sunday, August 10, bringing relief and joy to Indian business communities that depend heavily on Bangladeshi visitors.
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Impact of Previous Visa Restrictions
Before the restrictions, nearly 3.6 million Bangladeshis traveled to India each year for tourism, medical treatment, and business purposes. However, after August 5, 2024, changes in visa policies drastically reduced the number of Bangladeshi tourists and patients visiting India. This decline hit Indian businesses hard—especially those in Kolkata’s New Market, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
Hospitals, hotels, transport companies, and retail shops that relied on Bangladeshi customers suffered major financial losses. Many traders were forced to change their profession to survive.
Economic Sectors That Suffered
Large hospitals in southern cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru saw a sharp drop in foreign patients from Bangladesh. This directly affected hotel occupancy rates, transport demand, currency exchange businesses, and even clothing and food markets.
Business Owners Welcome the New Policy
With the new visa relaxation, business owners believe the crisis will soon be over. They hope the return of Bangladeshi patients and tourists will help them recover their lost income.
One hospital authority in India said in Bangla:
“বাংলাদেশিরা আসলে আগের সংকট অচিরেই কাটিয়ে উঠব।”
Translation: “Once Bangladeshis start coming again, we will quickly overcome the previous crisis.”
Call for Stronger India-Bangladesh Relations
Hotel owners, currency exchange agents, transport operators, and retail traders also expressed optimism. They urged both nations to put aside religious, political, and conflict-related differences to strengthen mutual friendship and cooperation.
One Kolkata trader said in Bangla:
“ধর্ম, রাজনীতি ও হানাহানি বাদ দিয়ে দুই দেশের মৈত্রী সম্পর্ক অটুট থাকুক।”
Translation: “Let the friendship between the two countries remain unbroken, putting aside religion, politics, and conflict.”
Source: Jamuna TV
