Anti-India sentiment on face, application to go to India in hand

POBNEWS24, Dhaka, July 6, 2026 : As India’s tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens were reintroduced after two years, the number of applicants has increased at various visa application centers in the country, including the capital Dhaka. Hundreds of people are applying every day for medical, tourism, business, education, religious travel or to meet relatives. However, one issue that has been discussed the most among this crowd is that a portion of those who have strongly highlighted anti-India sentiment in their political statements so far are now also applying for Indian tourist visas and are getting visas as per the rules.
Visiting visa application centers, talking to applicants, people involved in travel and reviewing the opinions of political analysts, it is seen that political statements and personal reality are not the same in many cases. Despite making anti-India statements on social media, many are choosing India for medical treatment, meeting family members, doing business or for vacation. As a result, the question arises – what is the gap between political commentary and real-life needs?
India’s role in the history of Bangladesh’s independence is undeniable. In the great liberation war of 1971, the Indian government, the Indian armed forces and the common people of that country stood by the freedom fighters and refugees of Bangladesh. Independent Bangladesh emerged with the surrender of the Pakistani army on December 16. That history has laid the foundation for the relations between the two countries.
Even after 55 years of independence, India is one of the most important neighboring countries for the people of Bangladesh. A large number of Bangladeshis travel to India every year for medical treatment, higher education, business, shopping, tourism and cultural exchanges. The two-year tourist visa restriction had a major impact on that travel. After the new visas were introduced, that picture is returning again.
According to political observers, the political position and personal needs of any individual or group should not be viewed as one. However, after making public anti-India statements, the desire to travel to the same country for personal needs can raise questions in the public about the credibility of one’s political position.
After the resumption of tourist visas in India, not only has the opportunity to cross the border increased; rather, the relationship between political culture, public opinion and reality in Bangladesh has also come under renewed discussion. The current situation seems to be sending out the message that beyond verbal political statements, the decisions of the common people are ultimately determined by practical needs.
It is worth noting that Dinesh Trivedi, the new High Commissioner to India in Dhaka, has opened all visas, including tourist, from June 28. Every day, long queues of visa applicants are
crowded.
On the spot, long queues and intense crowding of applicants have been observed at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) located in Jamuna Future Park in the capital. Hundreds of people have been waiting in line since morning with application forms and passports in hand. However, although there are no major complaints about the services inside the visa center, the victims have expressed extreme dissatisfaction with getting an appointment or ‘slot’ for the specific date and time of the online application. It has been alleged that the common people are having to suffer a lot and spend extra money to get a slot.
On Monday, a visit to the Indian Visa Center at Jamuna Future Park showed a huge crowd of people coming to submit new applications, collect passports and submit documents for medical and travel. As the day progressed, the number of people in the line for each service continued to increase.