India’s new High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, announced the resumption of travel visas for Bangladeshi citizens on Thursday as he officially began his diplomatic assignment in Dhaka. The announcement came a day after the Indian government granted him the status of a Union Minister for ceremonial functions.

The 76-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party leader formally took charge after presenting his credentials to the President of Bangladesh, Mohammed Shahabuddin. Trivedi became the first politician to serve as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh. He succeeded career diplomat Pranay Kumar Verma, whose tenure ended last month.

A spokesperson at Bangabhaban, the presidential palace, confirmed the development and said, "The new Indian High Commissioner has presented his credentials to the honourable president, beginning his diplomatic assignment in Dhaka." Before the credential presentation ceremony, a contingent of the President’s Guard Regiment welcomed Trivedi with a guard of honour.

Soon after completing the formalities at the presidential palace, Trivedi made his first public appearance at the Indian Visa Centre in Dhaka. There, he announced that India would restart issuing general travel visas for Bangladeshi nationals. Authorities had suspended these visas nearly two years ago amid a deteriorating security situation and strained relations between New Delhi and the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

While addressing visitors at the visa centre, Trivedi said, "I am very happy to be able to announce the launch of general travel visas again. Visa applications can be submitted starting June 28." He added that applicants would be able to apply through all five Indian visa centres located in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna.

Trivedi also said the visa programme would expand further in the future to make the process more accessible. He assured that Indian authorities would continue issuing urgent medical visas on humanitarian grounds. The move is expected to provide relief to thousands of Bangladeshi citizens who travel to India for tourism, business, education and medical treatment.

The new High Commissioner arrived in Bangladesh on June 12 through the Benapole-Petrapole land border. His appointment marked a significant diplomatic development, as he became the first political figure to hold the post instead of a career diplomat.

On Wednesday, India officially granted Trivedi the status of a Union Minister through a memorandum issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The decision came shortly before he formally assumed his responsibilities in Dhaka.

Trivedi’s appointment followed the completion of Pranay Kumar Verma’s four-year tenure. Verma’s term witnessed major political changes in Bangladesh. During that period, a student-led uprising in August 2024 led to the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Relations between India and Bangladesh weakened under the interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus.

Bangladesh later held national elections earlier this year. However, authorities barred Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from participating in the polls. Following the elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman took oath as the country’s prime minister on February 17.

The resumption of travel visas marks an important step in restoring people-to-people contact between the two neighbouring countries. The decision also signals a fresh effort to strengthen bilateral engagement at a time when both nations seek to improve diplomatic ties and expand cooperation.