In a confidence-building initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today that India will grant e-visas to Chinese tourists.
“We have decided to extend electronic tourist visas to Chinese nationals,” Modi said addressing students and faculty at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing.
This announcement came in the teeth of strong opposition from the The Home Ministry, however, is not happy with this announcement because of security concerns involving the misuse of the policy. Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry, and the Ministry of Tourism have been pressing for it.
India has also announced this year to be the ‘Visit India Year’ in China to attract more tourists, in order to boost tourism revenues.
While less than two lakh Chinese visit India, more Chinese travellers are visiting Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
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