Priyanka Tiwari
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India has recently been resisting requests from Bangladesh to resume issuing normal volumes of medical visas, citing staff shortages and strained diplomatic ties, sources say. This reduction in visa issuance has created a rare opportunity for China to expand its offerings and strengthen its people-to-people ties with Bangladesh.
In 2023, a significant portion of India's visa grants to Bangladesh was allocated to individuals seeking treatment in India's affordable private healthcare system, particularly benefitting from Bengali-speaking hospital staff. This played a key role in cementing bilateral ties while limiting China’s influence in the region. However, as India has cut back on these visa numbers, China has stepped in to fill the vacuum, increasing its medical tourism offerings and investments in Bangladesh.
Visa Issuance Down Amid Cooling Relations
Since August 2023, India has issued fewer than 1,000 medical visas per working day, down from a peak of 5,000 to 7,000 visas, according to diplomatic sources. This drop in visa numbers coincides with a cooling in India-Bangladesh relations following the rise of Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, who replaced India's long-time ally Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh's interim government has caused a shift in regional dynamics, and India's refusal to send Hasina back for trial has exacerbated tensions. Meanwhile, China has seized the opportunity to strengthen its presence in Bangladesh.
China Makes Inroads with Investments and Medical Tourism
While India’s reduction in medical visa issuance has impacted many Bangladeshis seeking treatment, China has capitalized on this by becoming a key player. A recent delegation of Bangladeshis visited China's Yunnan province for medical treatment, exploring China’s growing medical tourism market. The Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, highlighted that at least 14 Chinese companies have invested more than $230 million in Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government, furthering China’s growing economic presence in the region.
Additionally, China is considering opening a friendship hospital in Dhaka to accommodate growing demand for medical care, while also easing access for Bangladeshis seeking treatment in China. These developments reflect China's increasing influence in Bangladesh, even as tensions remain between India and Bangladesh.
Diplomatic Tensions and India’s Visa Challenges
The visa processing delays and restrictions have caused frustration in both the Bangladesh government and the wider population. India has cited staff shortages in its Dhaka embassy and concerns over the security of staff as reasons for the difficulties. In August 2023, India evacuated many of its diplomats and their families from Bangladesh due to increasing anti-India protests, including attacks on an Indian cultural centre.
Despite these challenges, Indian government sources have stated that they remain committed to ensuring Bangladeshis with medical conditions continue to have access to Indian healthcare. However, they also noted concerns about the misuse of medical visas by individuals trying to escape difficult conditions in Bangladesh, citing the need for more scrutiny in the visa process.
China-Bangladesh Ties Strengthen Amid India's Withdrawal
China's growing influence is becoming more apparent as Bangladesh opens its market further to Chinese investments. Yunus, Bangladesh's de facto leader, is set to visit China to meet President Xi Jinping later this month, marking another step in deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, India has not engaged directly with Bangladesh's new leadership, with the first meeting between Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to take place next month at a conference in Thailand.
Strategic Shifts in South Asia: China's Growing Role
The shift in South Asia’s geopolitical landscape is becoming increasingly evident as China positions itself as a key player in the region. According to Happymon Jacob, an expert in international relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University, “South Asia is undergoing a major strategic shift, with China becoming one of the biggest players,” challenging India’s traditional dominance in the region.
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