Relations between the two countries have reached a low point due to protests in India and a series of misinformation campaigns in the country’s media over alleged persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
And its impact has started to be felt on cross-border trade. In particular, hotels, restaurants and hospitals in West Bengal are in trouble as the number of Bangladeshi tourists has dropped to almost zero.
In the wake of the situation, several private hospitals in West Bengal recently refused to provide treatment to Bangladeshis. However, the West Bengal branch of the All India Medical Association, an organization of Indian doctors, has strongly protested this and announced that Bangladeshis who come to Kolkata for treatment will be given a 10 percent discount.
But still, the number of Bangladeshi tourists in Kolkata has not increased due to visa complications. Bangladeshis are not getting visas to India without major physical complications. Almost all of those who are coming are coming for medical treatment. As a result, almost all the private hospitals in Mukundapur, near Kolkata’s bypass, are now struggling due to the lack of Bangladeshi patients.
In this regard, doctor S.N. Poddar told Jago News, “Currently, fewer people are coming from Bangladesh for treatment due to visa restrictions. However, we are hopeful that this problem will be resolved soon.”
Anarul Ramen, a resident of Dhaka, has come to a hospital in Mukundapur, Kolkata. He said, “I have come for my mother’s treatment. We have not had any problems. However, currently, Bangladeshi citizens are coming to Kolkata very less. I had got my visa a long time ago, so there was no problem.”