Dhaka: In a special gesture, india will grant five-year multiple entry tourist visas to bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war veterans, an indian high commission spokesman said here on wednesday.
“In recognition of the special connection between bangladesh muktijodhas (freedom fighters) and india, this provision has been extended to them as a special gesture,” he said.
Presently, bangladesh nationals above the age of 65 years are eligible for long-term multiple entry tourist visas of 5 years.
The spokesman said intending freedom fighters could avail the opportunity walking-in without prior appointment and submitting their “tourist visa applications” at indian visa application centres in dhaka and seven others elsewhere in the country.
An indian high commission statement said the freedom fighters “will henceforth be eligible for five year multiple entry tourist visas” as announced during bangladesh prime minister sheikh hasina’s visit to india earlier this month.
Indian soldiers fought should-to-shoulder with bengali freedom fighters in 1971 to liberate bangladesh.
Hasina, during her visit, felicitated indian heroes of the war against pakistan and had said every generation of bangladesh will remember the indian soldiers who fought by the side of bangladeshis.
Prime minister narendra modi had also announced a special medical scheme, under which 100 freedom fighters will be provided free treatment in indian hospitals every year.
He had said that $5 billion line of credit, including $500 million for defence purchases, will be given to dhaka.
It will bring india’s total development funding for bangladesh to $8 billion over the past six years. (Agencies)
