The political split between two adjacent nations caused Bangladesh’s tourist arrivals in India to decline by 20% in the final year of 2024 compared to 2023.

With 18.14% of all tourist visitors, the USA led the pack, followed by Bangladesh (17.57%), the UK (10.28%), Australia (5.20%), and Canada (4.78%).

However, according to sources, 53,495 Bangladeshis travelled to India in December 2024, which may have been the fewest in the previous 20 years. The Tourism Board of India reports that 16,96,735 Bangladeshi tourists travelled to India in 2024, compared to 2.12 million in 2023. Sheikh Hasina, the Modi government’s most trusted ally, resigned on August 5, 2024, amid a massive upheaval orchestrated by ordinary students, bringing relations between Dhaka and New Delhi to a new low in recent years.
On the security and geopolitical grounds that extremist groups in Bangladesh had strengthened their influence following Shiekh Hasina’s resignation, which Dhaka has refuted, India toughened visa requirements for tourists from Bangladesh. There has been a decline in the number of Bangladeshi visitors travelling to India in recent months, with October–December 2024 showing the worst decline. Bangladesh’s visitor arrivals in December fell to a record 5.91 percent of all Indian tourist arrivals, according to the Tourism Board of India.

Nonetheless, the January–June 2024 statistics indicated a stronger rising trend in Bangladeshi visitor arrivals during the first half of the previous year. However, India pursued simplifying Bangladesh visas from July to December 2024 due to the political unrest in Bangladesh during July and August and Shiekh Hasina’s reckless exit through a mass uprising.

10,28,765 foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) were recorded in December 2024, compared to 11,01,914 in December 2023 and 12,26,398 in December 2019, representing growths of -6.6% and -16.1%, respectively, between 2023 and 2019. The Indian Tourism Board reports that the number of 1.2 FTAs during January-December 2024 was 96,57,003, up from 95,20,928 during the same period in 2023 and 1,09,30,355 during the same period in 2019, representing growths of 1.4% and -11.6%, respectively, compared to 2023 and 2019. In 2023, 2.12 million tourists from Bangladesh travelled to India, accounting for 22.3% of all foreign visitors, according to the data that is currently available.
With more than 22% of all foreign visitor arrivals in 2023, Bangladesh led the list of nations that sent tourists to India. However, if policymakers in both counties facilitate and expedite the visa application procedure, the tourism industries of both counties—which suffered greatly during the same time period—will benefit, according to sources in Dhaka, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Mumbai. The number of Indian tourists has decreased during the past six months, according to sources in Bangladesh’s missions in Kolkata, New Delhi, Agartala, Chennai, and Mumbai. Although the number of Indian tourists visiting Bangladesh during the past six months or several years has not been updated by Bangladeshi missions in India, the Indian government regularly updates its data on foreign visitors, according to sources.
According to sources, the issuance of visas to nationals of both nations will be impacted reciprocally by the political friction between them. According to sources at the Bangladesh Tourism Board and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, India accounts for a significant portion of all inbound travel to Bangladesh, sometimes between 60 and 75 percent. According to members of the Tours Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), political unrest and instability affected their industry last year and haven’t yet gained traction. As India tightened its visa requirements for security and strategic reasons, Bangladesh’s tourist arrivals in India plummeted in November 2024, according to sources in Dhaka, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Agartala, and Chennai. <span;>In terms of visitor arrivals in India in November 2024, the United States remained the leading destination with 20.44 percent, followed by the United Kingdom (10.92 percent), Bangladesh (9.71 percent), Australia (6.41%), and Canada (6.22%), according to the India Tourism Board. According to the Ministry of Tourism of India’s Monthly Tourism Statistics, Bangladesh remains the country with the highest percentage of tourists arriving in India between January and November (18.96%), followed by the United States (17.39%), the United Kingdom (10.14%), Canada (4.6%), and Australia (4.59%). The data shows that 1635913 Bangladeshis travelled to India between January and November of 2024.

Nevertheless, 92,012 Bangladeshis travelled to India in November 2024 combined. In November 2024, there were 9,47,610 foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs), down from 9,48,631 in 2023 and 10,92,440 in 2019, representing growths of -0.1% and -13.3%, respectively, compared to 2023 and 2019. Between January and November of 2024, there were 86,28,238 FTAs, compared to 84,19,014 in 2023 and 97,03,957 in 2019, representing growths of 2.5% and -11.1%, respectively, over 2023 and 2019. In the meantime, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain recently voiced his optimism that the visa situation with India will become more normalised, but he emphasised that issuing a visa is a “sovereign right” of a nation.

“We didn’t cause issues with visas. For whatever reason, it has been stopped in India. They have the sovereign right to do so,” he stated, adding that no one can question a nation’s decision to refuse a visa to any individual or group. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossain stated that they are hoping India will make their decision public or increase their efforts to ensure visas are available to those who wish to visit the country. The Foreign Adviser said what Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said is completely the position of Bangladesh.

A 6.4-magnitude aftershock occurred minutes after the shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar.

Myanmar’s remote military regime, which has lost large areas of its country to armed groups, made a rare appeal for international assistance in response to the earthquake’s destruction. All six of the most afflicted areas were placed under a state of emergency. According to a doctor who spoke to AFP under condition of anonymity, “about 20 people” were confirmed dead at a hospital in Naypyidaw. Three people were confirmed killed in Thailand’s skyscraper collapse, but 81 others are still unaccounted for and thought to be trapped in the twisted metal and debris of the still-under-construction structure. With hundreds of victims swarming a hospital in the capital Naypyidaw, Myanmar appeared to have taken the brunt of the earthquake. Medics were treating patients outside when the entryway to the emergency room collapsed upon a car. Journalists were redirected by a medical administrator who declared, “This is a mass casualty area.” This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. We’re attempting to manage the matter. A doctor told AFP, “I’m so tired now.” As the ruling military requested international assistance, AFP correspondents witnessed junta leader Min Aung Hlaing arrive at the hospital. “We want the international community to give humanitarian aid as soon as possible,” Zaw Min Tun, a junta spokesperson, told AFP while at the airport. Given that Myanmar’s infrastructure and medical system have been devastated by four years of civil conflict, the junta’s unusual appeal raises the possibility of widespread damage and casualties. In Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai informed reporters that a structure under construction near the expansive Chatuchak market collapsed, killing at least three workers and trapping 81 more. According to an AFP photographer on the scene, rescuers were looking for a safe way to search for survivors amid the chaos of debris and twisted metal. Bang Sue district deputy police head Worapat Sukthai told AFP, “I heard people calling for help, saying ‘help me’.” “We estimate that hundreds of people are injured,” he stated. Stunned locals in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, a popular tourist destination in the north, rushed outside as the power momentarily went out, uncertain of how to react to the strange earthquake. Bangkok’s already infamous traffic was further snarled when Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared an emergency zone, suspending some metro and light rail services. The capital’s streets were crowded with commuters trying to make their way home on foot or seeking cover at the entrances of shopping centers and office buildings. For people who are unable to sleep at home, city officials said that parks will remain open overnight. China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India all reported vibrations from the earthquake, which was felt throughout the region.

The Muslim term for the final Friday of Ramadan is ‘Jumatul Bida,’ where ‘Friday’ and ‘Bida’ signify the finish. Last Friday is known as Jumatul Bida.

In our culture, the final Friday of Ramadan is referred to as Jumatul Bida. The month of Mubarak is just as significant as the final Friday of Ramadan, despite the fact that the term is not mentioned in any direct or indirect narration of the Qur’an or Hadith. Jumuah and Ramadan together have given the day boundless possibilities and splendour. The best day of the week is Ramadan, which is also the greatest gift Allah has given the Ummah Muhammadi. Thus, it is possible to observe the unique actions of every devout Muslim in Jumatul Bida.

Offering one’s soul to the court of the Merciful Lord, becoming closer to Allah through particular munajat, and praying Jumu’ah with the crowd in the mosque appear to be the top priorities for all Muslims on this day. There are two reasons why Jumatul Bida is so magnificent. First, the Muhammadan Ummah is blessed with a unique gift from Allah Almighty: Ramadan, a month of unending virtue.

In a Hadith recounted by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated that your Lord must have stated that the reward for every good deed of the children of Adam is ten times to seven hundred times, with the exception of fasting, since it is only for me and me alone. I’ll pay it back. Furthermore, Allah undoubtedly values the scent of a fasting person’s mouth more than woven amber. He will say, “I am a fasting person,” if any of you treat him foolishly when he is fasting. (Musannef Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 8894, Musnad Ahmad: 9714, Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith: 5927, Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1151)

This day marks the creation of Hazrat Adam (AS), his admission to Paradise, and his departure to Earth. Nowadays, there is a point at which a Muslim who is praying must be allowed to do so. (Hadith, Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 491) As the final opportunity to accept prayers during the month of Ramadan, Friday is a particularly significant day. Action items: On Friday, there will be some circumcisions. For instance, (1) you must bathe well with soap, (2) you must dress nicely or brand-new, (3) you must use perfume, and (4) you must walk to the mosque.
However, one must now adhere to hygienic guidelines because corona is so common. Hazrat Aws Ibn Aws As-Saqafi has recounted a Hadith. “Whoever takes a good bath on Friday, walks to the mosque first, sits next to the Imam, and listens intently to the khutbah and does not do anything useless, prays for a year in a row,” he remarked, quoting the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. And the rosary award will be offered. As-Sunanul Kubra, Hadith: 1703; Sunan Nasai, Hadith: 1384; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 16176; Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith: 2781; Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1087; Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith: 345

Since it is the final Friday of Ramadan, the day holds particular meaning for the Muslim Ummah. Jumatul Bida is far more important. Jumatul Bida is the best day of Ramadan, while Lailatul Qadr is the best night. According to Islamic tradition, Hazrat Sulaiman (AS) constructed the city of Jerusalem and the first Muslim qibla, the Masjid al-Aqsa, on the final Friday of the month of Ramadan. Consequently, Muslims worldwide commemorate ‘Al Quds’ day on the final Friday of Ramadan each year.