India witnessed a 48 per cent hike in medical tourists from Bangladesh in 2023 compared to that of the previous year, reports an India-based Business Standard newspaper.

As many as 449,570 Bangladeshis entered the country in 2023, compared to 304,067 in 2022. But the Indian government data shows that India granted only 1,432 medical visas to Sri Lankans in 2023-24, an 11.7% decline from the previous year. This steep rise contrasts medical tourists from Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Burma.

Myanmar citizens received 3,019 medical visas, a 4 percent increase from the previous year, while Pakistanis received only 76 in 2023-24, compared to 106 the previous year. The spike in Bangladeshi visitors for medical and tourism purposes has also prompted a notable increase in air connectivity between the two countries.