It’s confirmed: Chinese to get e-Visa for India

The foreign ministry is reported to be ignoring suggestions by RAW and IB in the context of delivering e-Visas to Chinese citizens. The decision is triggered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Beijing next week. As per a news report by The Times of India, the concerns highlighted by the intelligence agencies at Wednesday's meeting - attended by home secretary L C Goyal and brass of the foreign ministry, RAW and IB -- mainly related to overstay by Chinese citizens in India as well as past instances of some taking to spying.

The TOI report further reads, even though the issue of stapled visas by China to residents of Arunachal Pradesh remains an irritant, junior home minister Kiren Rijiju had on Wednesday made it clear that e-tourist visa facility was not based on reciprocity since its purpose is to promote tourism.

As per the proposal being discussed for easing visa regime with China, tourists from the country may be allowed entry on e-tourist visa, two-month restriction of consecutive visits on tourist visa done away with and China be removed from the list of prior reference category countries for conference visa.

(Image: reuters)