Lack of strong political commitment, mistrust among political leaders in South Asia, security issues and poor vision of bureaucrats perhaps stand in the way of launching on-arrival visas between Bangladesh and India, sources said.

Bangladesh and India enjoy warm relations in multilateral sectors with trade between the two counties growing steadily over the years.

Now policymakers of Dhaka and New Delhi have come to a realization that both countries can start working  on models  on -arrival visas between the two neighboring countries.

India should consider issuing on-arrival visas to Bangladesh nationals considering the sustained economic growth of Bangladesh, emergence of a rising upper middle class and middle class, especially sufferings of patients seeking treatment in the neighboring countries, according to politicians, diplomats, business leaders and policymakers. 

The 2024 edition of Henley Passport Index -- the most widely-accepted rating of global travel documents -- placed the Bangladeshi passport at 97th position……

According to the 2024 Henley Passport Index, a Bangladeshi passport entitles visa-free travel to 42 destinations.

In South Asia, the Bangladeshi passport fared better compared to that of Nepal (98), Pakistan (101) and Afghanistan (104).

The Henley Passport Index, the only one of its kind based on unique data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), has historical data going back 19 years. The database lists 227 travel destinations and 199 passports.

The Henley Passport Index is updated every quarter, and is regarded as the go-to resource for global citizens and sovereign states for determining where a passport ranks on the scale of global mobility.

Bangladeshi tourist arrivals in India in 2023 posted over 60 per cent growth the previous year 2022 as some 20,56,880 Bangladeshi tourists visited  the neighboring country in 2023 as compared to some 12,55,960 Bangladeshi tourists in 2022

Bangladeshi tourists (22.27 per cent) also retained the top position in neighbouring India during the January-December period of 2023, followed by the United States (17.79 per cent), the UK (9.68 per cent), Canada (9.68 per cent) and Australia (4.05 per cent, according to the data of the Tourism Ministry of the government of India.

Foreign tourists arrivals (FTA) during the period of January- December, 2023 were 92,36,108 as compared to 64,37,467 in January-December 2022 and 1,09,30,355 in January-December, 2019 registering a growth of 43.5% and -15.5% with respect to 2022 and 2019 respectively.

Besides tourists, several thousand Bangladeshi students are pursuing higher education, in elementary schools and several lakh to get better treatment in different part of India

India’s inbound tourism sector is experiencing a significant rebound, with foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2023 surging 64 per cent compared with 2022. This translates to 92,36,108 visitors between January and December 2023, compared with 64,37,467 in the same period of the previous year. However, despite this impressive growth, the sector remains 15.5 per cent below pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019, according to the Ministry of Tourism’s data.

The Financial Earnings from Expenditure (FEEs) during January-December 2023 stood at ₹2,31,927 crore, reflecting a substantial 65.74 per cent growth from the previous year. In terms of US dollars, FEEs reached $28.077 billion, demonstrating a robust 59.43 per cent growth, albeit showing a decline of -8.61 per cent compared with 2019.

The percentage share of foreign tourist arrivals in India during January- December, 2022 among the top 15 source countries was the highest from USA (22.19%), followed by Bangladesh (20.29%), UK (9.98%), Australia (5.96%), Canada (4.48%), Sri Lanka (2.87%), Nepal (2.19%), Germany (2.01%), Singapore (1.89%), Malaysia (1.88%), France (1.79%), Russian Federation (1.54%), Maldives (1.14%), Portugal (1.10%), & Italy (0.97%).

As far as the tourism is concerned, the year 2019 was a notable year for India as it witnessed more than 10.93 million tourist arrivals. India's rank in terms of FEE during the year 2019 was 12th in the world. Moreover, India stands at 6th position in tourism receipts within the Asia & Pacific region.

Bangladesh retained the top position with 2.26 million (21.37%), followed by   United States 1.46 million (13.80 per cent), the United Kingdom 1.03 million (9.75 per cent),. Sri Lanka 0.35 million (3.35 per cent),  Canada 0.35 million (3.32 per cent),  Australia 0.34 million (3.28%),  Malaysia 0.32 million (3.02%),  China 0.28 million (2.67%), Germany 0.27 million (2.60%), Russian Fed 0.26 million (2.48%),  France 0.26 million (2.48%),  Japan 0.24 million, (2.24%),  Singapore 0.18 million, (1.74%), Nepal 0.17 million (1.65%), Thailand 0.16 million  (1.58%)

Experts predict continued growth in the inbound tourism sector, with Virendra Jain, co-founder and CEO of VIDEC Consultants, expressing optimism for 2024. Virendra Jain, co-founder and CEO of VIDEC Consultants said, “While outbound travel has almost restored to its pre-pandemic highs, inbound travel is expected to consolidate its recovery next year, according to the Indian newspapers, accosting to media reports.

Conversely, medical tourism, which constituted a significant portion (45.73 per cent) of arrivals in December, saw a decrease in its share compared with the full year (26.52 per cent). Sources said campaign in social media perhaps leads to drop in medical tourism in neighboring country.  

Meanwhile, India is considering to issue on-arrival visas for Bangladesh nationals, said Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma said in a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruque Khan at his office at the secretariat in Dhaka recently.

He said that the High Commission of India had issued some 16 lakh visas in favour of Bangladesh citizens last years. It is increasing day by day. "We have raised our capability to issue visas in favour of Bangladeshis in time. New Delhi is also considering to issue non-arrival visas to Bangladesh nationals in future."

The Indian high commissioner said several Indian entrepreneurs showed keen interest to invest in Bangladesh's tourism industry.

"Especially India is interested in establishing air connectivity among India's North-Eastern states and Bangladesh", said the high commissioner.

Meanwhile, State Minister of Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said that India should issue on-arrival visas to Bangladeshis, particularly to patients seeking treatment in the neighboring country.

He has expressed this view while speaking at a discussion meeting marking the International Mother Language Day, organized by the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata.

A top leader of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) while talking to this correspondent said that High Commission of India should increase the manpower and ease sufferings of thousands of Bangladeshi visa seekers.

A Bangladeshi visa seeker has to stand in long queue with the India Visa Application Centre at the Jamuna Future Park to deposit his or her visa application form.

Rezaul Ekram, Bangladesh Chapter President at South Asia Tourism Federation, while talking to this correspondent said that India should consider issuing on-arrival visa to Bangladeshis as the country has become an emerging economy in the region. He said that Bangladesh also witnessed the enviable economic growth in the last 50 years and will become economic power house in the coming days. He said that both Bangladesh and India should ease the visa process to speed the movement of the tourist.  As the both countries are enjoying warm relations at the political level, time now on emphasizing the people-to-people relations.

Rezaul Ekram, also proprietor and CEO at Entourage BD, tourism sectors of both counties will be befitted provided on-arrival visa system is introduced.

Rezaul Ekram, also founder President of Bangladesh Inbound Tour Operators Association, India shares the largest inbound tourist out of total visitors to Bangladesh.  

Meanwhile, an Indian tourism official said, “Bangladesh and India share the fifth-longest land border in the world. This might also explain the high tourism influx from Bangladesh to India. Although from the point of view of the Indian government, there seems to be a thin line between tourism and illegal immigration. Managing the complex Indo-Bangladeshi border running through five Indian states is a herculean task, which needs constant monitoring. Risks of cross-border infiltration, illegal migration and smuggling remain major national security challenges for India.”

Meanwhile, Bangladesh is set to propose substantial amendments to its travel agreement with India, focusing on enhanced convenience and flexibility for citizens travelling between the two countries.

The proposed changes include issuing visas that allow travel through any check-post and offering flexibility for long-term medical treatments, such as allowing multiple travel.

The existing travel agreement, initiated on 1 September 1972, and last revised in January 2013,  expired recently, prompting Bangladesh to present a comprehensive proposal for its renewal.

A senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs anticipates the signing of the new travel agreement within the next month. To facilitate this process, Bangladesh's Security Service Division has meticulously prepared a proposal.

An inter-ministerial meeting gathered opinions and recommendations from relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Secondary and Higher Education, and the Ministry of Shipping.

Following the meeting, the finalised proposal will be sent to the Indian side through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, initiating a mutual exchange of opinions before the agreement is renewed.

One of the significant proposals aims to replace the term "Designated check post" with "Through any check post" in visa documentation. This change aims to provide travellers with the flexibility to choose their entry and exit points, alleviating congestion at specific checkposts and streamlining the travel process.

Similarly, the proposal includes provisions for multiple travels and the option to change hospitals during long-term medical treatments, addressing the diverse needs of individuals seeking extended medical care in either country.

Additionally, Bangladesh will propose increasing the visa-free stay period for diplomatic and official passports from 45 to 90 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already submitted this proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Other proposals include extending the validity of short-term double-entry visas from 3 to 6 months and recognizing river routes as a legitimate travel option. The inclusion of river routes follows recent agreements between both countries to launch river cruises.

For stays exceeding six months, the current requirement for approval from the Foreigner Registration Office or Relevant Authorities may be replaced with online registration for a Residential Permit 14 days before arrival.

Notably, there will be no changes to long-term multiple entry visas and long-term employment visas.

Bangladesh issues various visas to India, including diplomatic and official visas, short-term double-entry visas, long-term multiple-entry tourist visas, medical visas, long-term employment visas, visas for investors or businessmen, visas for journalists, visas for research scholars or fellows working in educational or research institutions, visas for students, transit visas, and double entry visas.

Crucially, there is no visa fee for travel to Bangladesh and India. In emergencies, citizens can obtain instant visas in exchange for a service charge, though this provision is seldom utilised.

Bangladesh's proposed amendments seek to streamline and enhance the travel experience for citizens of both countries.

With a significant influx of people from Bangladesh visiting India each year for education, medical care, employment, business, and tourism, these changes are poised to foster a more seamless and convenient travel relationship.

According to data from the Bureau of Immigration of India, Bangladesh contributed substantially to India's tourism sector in 2022, with 20% of tourists originating from Bangladesh, making it the second-highest contributor after the United States.

FTAs during the period January- December, 2022 were 61,91,399 as compared to 15,27,114 in January-December, 2021 and 1,09,30,355 in January-December, 2019 registering a growth of 305.4% and -43.4% with respect to 2021 and 2019 respectively.