 "E-visa now for Chinese tourists, says Modi")
Electronic visas (e-visa) for Chinese tourists, a controversial issue so far, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the second day of his visit there.
He said so while addressing students and faculty at Tsinghua University in Beijing on Friday.
Only a few hours before the announcement, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said, “No decision has been taken yet”, when asked about it at a press conference.
“This announcement is a way of creating a conducive environment for discussions on border issues, among other things. But, this is significant for showcasing India as an attractive destination,” said Guldeep Singh Sahni, president, Outbound Tour Operators of India.
It is reported the Union home ministry was strongly opposed to the move, as were intelligence agencies, over security concerns on misuse. On the other hand, the ministries of external affairs and tourism had pushed it.
“It is a really positive step. We are confident that in the next phase, other countries will be added, which I am sure will increase the (percentage) growth of tourism to double-digits in the next two years”, said Subhash Goyal, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators.
Addressing the gathering at the university, Modi said, "About 33 per cent of the world's population is either Indian or Chinese. Yet, our people know very little of each other. So, we have decided to extend electronic tourist visas to Chinese nationals. We are celebrating the Year of India in China in 2015."
Last November, 43 countries were put in the list for tourist visas on arrival. Apart from eight — Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia — of the 180 countries which host India’s diplomatic missions, all others are to eventually get included, in phases. The government plans to widen the list to 76 countries by June 15.
He said so while addressing students and faculty at Tsinghua University in Beijing on Friday.
Only a few hours before the announcement, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said, “No decision has been taken yet”, when asked about it at a press conference.
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At present, there is more Chinese tourism to Maldives than India. In addition to the e-visa facility, the proposed Buddhist circuit in India, when developed, could get more Chinese visitors. The total number of Chinese tourists to India in 2013 was below 200,000.
“This announcement is a way of creating a conducive environment for discussions on border issues, among other things. But, this is significant for showcasing India as an attractive destination,” said Guldeep Singh Sahni, president, Outbound Tour Operators of India.
It is reported the Union home ministry was strongly opposed to the move, as were intelligence agencies, over security concerns on misuse. On the other hand, the ministries of external affairs and tourism had pushed it.
“It is a really positive step. We are confident that in the next phase, other countries will be added, which I am sure will increase the (percentage) growth of tourism to double-digits in the next two years”, said Subhash Goyal, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators.
Addressing the gathering at the university, Modi said, "About 33 per cent of the world's population is either Indian or Chinese. Yet, our people know very little of each other. So, we have decided to extend electronic tourist visas to Chinese nationals. We are celebrating the Year of India in China in 2015."
Last November, 43 countries were put in the list for tourist visas on arrival. Apart from eight — Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia — of the 180 countries which host India’s diplomatic missions, all others are to eventually get included, in phases. The government plans to widen the list to 76 countries by June 15.