India to grant Bangladeshi travellers e-medical visas

Dhaka: India will begin an e-medical visa facility for Bangladeshi travellers, announced the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a joint press conference following a meeting with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina during her visit at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on June 22.

The new service is aimed at streamlining the visa application process for medical travellers from Bangladesh, ensuring easier and faster access to India's healthcare facilities. The move is expected to significantly enhance medical tourism and further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Also, India's plan to establish a new consulate in Rangpur is aimed at enhancing the consular services available to people in the north-western region of Bangladesh.

The move is expected to offer various services such as visa issuance, cultural exchange and assistance to Indian nationals in the area. The consulate's establishment will likely strengthen diplomatic ties and foster closer relations between India and Bangladesh, promoting greater connectivity and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

Another key announcement from the meeting include the inauguration of the sixth rail link between India and Bangladesh, from Jakhoda to Agartala, along with cargo services for northeastern Indian states through the Khulna-Mongla Port.

The world's longest river cruise on the Ganges River between India and Bangladesh has been completed, enhancing tourism and connectivity, announced India’s Prime Minister at the press conference following the meeting.

He also mentioned, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina's visit to India underscored the strong and evolving partnership between the two neighbouring countries.