Sat Jan 04 04:19:10 UTC 2025: ## India’s Visa Restrictions Cripple Bangladeshi Patients Seeking Medical Care

**DHAKA, BANGLADESH** – Strained relations between India and Bangladesh have resulted in severe restrictions on Indian visa issuance, leaving thousands of Bangladeshi patients stranded and impacting India’s lucrative medical tourism industry. The crisis is highlighted by the plight of Khadiza Khatun, whose husband urgently needs a liver transplant available only in India but faces repeated visa delays.

Since the August ouster of Sheikh Hasina, an ally of India, visa operations have been drastically curtailed. Daily online visa slots have plummeted from over 7,000 to around 500 across five Indian visa centers in Bangladesh. While the Indian government claims to prioritize emergency cases, patients like Khatun report significant delays and difficulties even with emergency applications.

The restrictions have had a devastating impact on Bangladeshi citizens who rely on India’s significantly more affordable healthcare. Many have missed critical appointments, while others with expiring visas are left with few options. The cost of treatment in alternative countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Turkey is prohibitively expensive for most Bangladeshis.

This situation is also severely impacting India’s medical tourism industry, which relies heavily on patients from Bangladesh. Industry data shows an 80 percent drop in Bangladeshi patients since August, affecting hospitals across India, particularly those in Kolkata, geographically closest to Bangladesh. Hospitals report sharp declines in both outpatient visits and admissions from Bangladeshi patients. Some hospitals have even reportedly refused patients, further exacerbating the already tense relationship.

While both Indian and Bangladeshi officials have publicly expressed a desire to improve relations and address the visa issue, patients and visa agents report little tangible change. Although a recent high-level meeting between the two countries addressed the issue, the situation on the ground remains unchanged. Analysts express concern that the ongoing diplomatic tensions are harming crucial people-to-people ties. The longer the visa restrictions remain in place, the more severe the consequences will be for both nations.

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