Bangladesh has emerged as one of the top source countries for foreign tourist arrivals in India over the past five years, highlighting the strong cultural and historical kinship between Bengalis and Indians.
According to data shared by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Bangladesh led tourist arrivals in 2020 and 2023, underscoring a consistent interest in cross-border engagement.
Bengali tourists contribute significantly to India’s economy through spending on travel, hospitality and retail. Experts say this trend presents an opportunity for India to strengthen people-to-people ties with Bangladesh.
Tourism advocates urge the Indian government to ease travel processes and expand outreach to Bengali visitors, who share language, cuisine and traditions with many Indian communities.
More broadly, countries including the US, UK, Australia and Canada also continue to send large numbers of tourists, reinforcing India’s global appeal as a diverse and accessible destination.