Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, marked its first year in power with big promises of reforms, national dignity, and stronger ties abroad. But a new report shows little has changed on the ground, leaving many Bangladeshis stuck in a deepening crisis.
The government took over after massive student protests toppled the previous regime in August 2024. Leaders vowed to fix corruption, boost law and order, and rebuild Bangladesh’s global image. Instead, the report from The Diplomat highlights stalled reforms and worsening security, sparking a quiet national emergency. Thousands of Bangladeshis are now fleeing the country, desperate for better opportunities.
At the heart of this mess? A severe Bangladesh visa crisis that’s tarnishing the country’s passport worldwide. From India to Indonesia, governments are slamming doors on Bangladeshi travelers with visa denials, long delays, and outright bans. Even Tajikistan, known for quick e-visas, has tightened rules. Officials in Dhaka point fingers at human trafficking rings and the old government’s mishaps. But diplomats say the real culprits are poor diplomatic efforts, ongoing political chaos, and doubts about the interim setup’s legitimacy.
This passport plight hits millions hard. Once a ticket to brighter futures for workers and tourists, the Bangladeshi passport now stands for shattered dreams, the report warns.
Diplomacy tops the list of failures. Right after the 2024 shakeup, India halted tourist visas for Bangladeshis—a move still in effect today. Before that, over 2.1 million Bangladeshis flocked to India as tourists in the year from April 2023 to March 2024, out of nearly 10 million total visitors.
Indonesia joined the crackdown, ending visa-on-arrival for Bangladeshis over trafficking concerns. A June visit by Indonesia’s deputy foreign minister to Dhaka didn’t budge the policy. Thailand, once speedy with e-visas issued in a week, now drags its feet for 40 to 50 days on applications from Bangladeshis.
Other nations are following suit. The UAE has slashed daily visas for Bangladeshis to just 30 to 50. Vietnam no longer offers tourist visas to them at all. And Italy sits on more than 60,000 pending Bangladeshi visa requests.
These roadblocks signal a sharp drop in respect for Bangladesh’s international standing. As 2025 unfolds, Yunus steers a nation facing growing humiliation at borders, the report notes. Experts urge him to prioritize democratic elections and stability. Only then can Bangladeshis travel without shame and reclaim their passport’s credibility on the world stage.
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