PM Modi announces visa on arrival for Fiji

Giving a boost to people-to-people contacts between India and Fiji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made an announcement of visa-on-arrival for the island nation.

"Think of the days when travel was difficult. That did not deter brave people from travelling over the seas in search of a new life. Distance, to me, is irrelevant in a world of fiber optic cables and satellite links. We are only as far away as the click of a mouse or the call button of a phone. In any case, a direct flight today can take you from Fiji to most places in India. And, I say this more to my people than to you," he said here in his address at Fiji's Parliament.

"Fijians have been steady in visiting India. We in India have not paid enough attention to this beautiful land of warm people and immense potential. This must change. We must make travel easier between our two countries. For this reason, I have taken a small step in extending visa on arrival to Fijians in India, as you have done for Indians," Prime Minister Modi said.

Referring to Fiji's warm hospitality, Prime Minister Modi told the island nation to invite Bollywood to shoot their films here.

"And, if you want to attract more Indians to enjoy the magnificence of your islands and the warmth of your hospitality, you should invite Bollywood to shoot their films in Fiji," he added.