As Modi, Xi bat for closer ties, India announces relaxation in e-visa policy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday made a strong pitch for enhanced ties between two countries with Mr Xi insisting that there should be 'more such Informal Summits'.

India has announced a five-year tourist e-visa with multiple entry facility for Chinese travellers.

The announcement was made by the Indian mission in Beijing. "It is anticipated that this unilateral liberalisation of e-TV for Chinese nationals will further enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and encourage more Chinese tourists to choose India as a destination for tourism purposes," it said.

"From October 2019 onwards, Chinese nationals can apply for e-Tourist visa (e-TV) of a 5 year validity with multiple entries. The visa fee for this 5 year multiple entry e-TV will be US$ 80," the announcement said.

At the delegation level talks, Prime Minister said the Wuhan talks had ensured enhanced 'strategic communication' between two sides and thus there was "increased stability" in the ties as well.

According to reports in Chinese media, President Xi and PM Modi in their one-on-one deliberations on Friday agreed to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations to achieve joint development.

Xi also urged both countries to take the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year as an opportunity to conduct broader and deeper cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Both the leaders on Friday toured the monuments at Mamallapuram. Southern India and more particularly the state of Tamil Nadu has had close connections with China on maritime trade since ancient times.

In his remarks on Saturday, Prime Minister said in last 2,000 years - India and China have remained major economic powers.

"In this century, yet again, we are acquiring this status," he said at the delegation level parleys which was attended among others by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.