Commerce Ministry’s visa plan to 18 countries

The Union Commerce Ministry has proposed an ambitious scheme to waive the visa requirement for business visitors and tourists from 18 countries, which are considered critical to economic and trade strategy. The 18 countries belong to BRICS and the Asia Pacific group that is part of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

• However, the Home Ministry has raised objections to this omnibus exemption. It has raised strong objections to granting such benefits to citizens of China and Pakistan due to security concerns. 

Intention behind this proposal:

The visa procedure for foreign business visitors will contribute towards making India an attractive destination for investors from RCEP countries, keeping in mind the ‘Make in India’ policy. It will also boost India’s services trade and help earn foreign exchange. Visa waiver for business visitors and tourists is very important, given the stakeholders’ feedback regarding the time-consuming onerous visa application processes which deter business travellers and tourists.

Present regime:

Currently, India has a visa-free entry regime for Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives. The e-Tourist Visa Scheme (for tourism, healthcare, business and family visits) is available to citizens of around 113 countries, including some 40 countries for whom India has already granted visa on arrival facility.

About Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership:

The RCEP is among the proposed three mega FTAs in the world so far – the other two being the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership, led by the US) and the TTIP (Trans -atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the US and the EU).

• The agreement (FTA) is proposed between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and the six states with which ASEAN has existing FTAs (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand).
• RCEP negotiations were formally launched in November 2012 at the ASEAN Summit in Cambodia.
•  RCEP is viewed as an alternative to the TPP trade agreement, which includes the United States but excludes China.