New Delhi, Dec 19 (NationPress) The current instability in Bangladesh raises significant concerns for patients requiring immediate specialized medical care.

India is a key player in the country's visa operations, with a considerable percentage of applications falling under the medical category.

A report from the Parliamentary Committee titled "Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship" highlights that medical visas are prioritized, making up approximately 80 percent of all visas issued. The Committee indicated that further easing of visa numbers would occur in collaboration with the concerned Ministry of External Affairs, considering various factors.

Ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh has severely impacted travel and trade, with reports suggesting a staggering 90 percent decline in travel to India.

Although medical tourism has been notably affected, it still falls under visa exceptions.

Businesses, including guesthouses and hospitals near border cities, have experienced a sharp decline in patients and visitors from Bangladesh, showcasing the extent of this disruption.

The Committee expressed concern over China's growing presence in Bangladesh, particularly regarding infrastructure projects, port expansions, and defense ties, citing the increasing influence of nations like China within Bangladesh's medical sector.

As indicated in the report, the Indian government must formulate strategies to counteract this influence without jeopardizing national security.

India is closely monitoring these developments, and while medical visas continue to be issued, they will also be evaluated based on the prevailing security situation.

Following the recent political upheaval and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, trade relations between the two nations have faced numerous challenges.

Bangladesh has restricted imports from India, including essential goods like yarn and rice, prompting New Delhi to respond with limitations on imports from Bangladesh via Northeastern land ports.

Key Bangladeshi exports, especially ready-made garments worth millions, are now confined to sea ports like Kolkata and Navi Mumbai, raising costs and extending transit times.

These reciprocal actions have strained bilateral trade but have not entirely halted it, with some growth in Bangladesh's exports to India despite the challenges.

However, the geopolitical shifts following the regime change in Bangladesh have fostered closer ties between Dhaka and China, leading India to adopt a cautious approach, reflected in trade restrictions and the termination of certain transit agreements.

The Parliamentary Committee has flagged the alarming issue of dumping Chinese goods, particularly fabrics, into India through Bangladesh, leveraging preferential market access provisions under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).

Interestingly, Bangladesh remains India's largest trade partner in South Asia, with New Delhi being Dhaka's second-largest trade partner in Asia.

Over the past decade, India-Bangladesh bilateral trade has witnessed significant growth, with exports from India in 2024-2025 reaching approximately $11,456 million and imports around $2,005 million, compared to $6,451 million and $621 million in 2014-2015, respectively.

For the year 2023-2024, these figures stood at $11,066 million and $1,845 million, respectively.

Currently, Bangladesh's foreign exchange shortages and soaring inflation complicate its trade capabilities.

Despite rising nationalist sentiments and policy reforms, deep economic interdependence ensures that trade volumes remain robust, underscoring the necessity for diplomatic and economic collaboration to sustain stability in bilateral relations.

Even amidst critical remarks against India from Bangladesh's interim leadership at international forums, New Delhi continues to monitor the situation closely, balancing geopolitical sensitivities with economic imperatives.

The regional economic stability of South Asia relies on resilient mechanisms that can withstand political shifts, ensuring essential trade and travel connections between Bangladesh and India.