China hails India’s decision to extend e-visa for its citizens

Beijing, May 18

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Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to grant e-visas to its citizens, China today said it is willing to make joint efforts with India under the Chinese laws to facilitate people-to-people exchange.

“During his visit, Prime Minister Modi has announced issuance of e-visas for Chinese tourists. We welcome this move,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a media briefing.

Asked whether China is ready to make a reciprocal gesture, he said, “China is willing to make joint efforts with India under the Chinese laws and regulations so as to facilitate the exchanges of China and Indian people and seek for new development.”

The e-visa facility announced by Prime Minister Modi during his visit here on May 15 came despite strong opposition from the Home Ministry and security agencies over concerns of its misuse, while the External Affairs Ministry and Ministry tourism pressed for it.

The e-visas are expected to increase the flow of Chinese tourists to India.

Less than 2 lakh Chinese tourists visited India last year against over 6 lakh Indians to China.

India wants woo the Chinese tourists whose numbers have crossed over 100 million to different countries.

Hong said Modi had ‘successful talks’ with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Zhang Dejiang.

“They exchanged views on bilateral relations and comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity and reached important consensus in this regard,” he said.

“They also signed 24 agreements covering different areas and the companies from the two countries signed USD 22 billion worth of agreements. We will implement important consensus reached by the two leaderships and elevate China, India relations to a new high,” Hong said. — PTI