“Systemic Gaps, Unchecked Overstays: Why India’s Visa Regime Isn’t Ready for Full Relaxation with Bangladesh in March 2026”, Hindu Voice, April 01, 2026
“India is in the process of restoring full visa services for Bangladeshi nationals after an 18-month restriction driven by security considerations. As of March 2026, the government has initiated a phased reopening that includes tourist, business and student visa categories.
At first glance, this may appear to be a necessary correction that restores regional mobility, supports medical access and signals diplomatic normalization. However, recent enforcement data, persistent gaps in visa processing systems, and the documented presence of well-organized networks operating across multiple regions of India capable of providing high quality forged documentation at relatively low cost indicate a deeper structural challenge. Visa overstayers can exploit such forged documentation to evade detection, extend unauthorized stays and fraudulently assume the identity of legitimate Indian residents.
This structural weakness is further compounded by political resistance in key border states, where sections of the political establishment have treated Bangladeshi visa overstayers and illegal immigrants as embedded vote banks, actively obstructing identification and enforcement efforts……”
Read full article at hinduvoice.in
