India has significantly reduced the number of medical visas issued to Bangladeshis despite repeated requests from Dhaka.
This move has created an opportunity for China to expand its influence, as it actively promotes medical tourism for Bangladeshis.
According to six anonymous officials, the decline in visa issuance is a result of strained bilateral relations and a shortage of personnel, Reuters reports.
In 2023, India issued over 2 million medical visas to Bangladeshis, making healthcare one of the primary reasons for travel between the two neighbouring countries.
Bangladeshis preferred Indian hospitals due to their affordability and the presence of Bangla-speaking medical staff.
Previously, India issued between 5,000 to 7,000 medical visas per day, but following Bangladesh’s political transition last August, that number has now dropped to fewer than 1,000 per day.
China has swiftly capitalized on this gap by promoting its healthcare sector as an alternative.
Recently, several Bangladeshis travelled to China’s Yunnan province for medical treatment.
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen remarked that this visit marks the beginning of medical tourism cooperation between the two nations.
China is not only strengthening medical ties but also increasing economic investments in Bangladesh.
Wen noted that since the interim government assumed office, at least 14 Chinese companies have invested $230 million in the country.
Over the past seven months, China has emerged as the largest foreign investor in Bangladesh.
Additionally, a spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to deepening cooperative relations with Bangladesh.
