Govt defers decision on easing visa norms for China

The Memorandum of Understanding between India and China on a liberalised visa policy for their professionals and tourists visiting the other country is not likely to be signed during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Beijing next week.
The Cabinet today deferred a decision on easing visa norms for Chinese nationals, especially businessmen and tourists, as India wants the policy to be reciprocated and to be mutually beneficial but no assurance on this is forthcoming from Beijing.
Singh is now not likely to sign the MoU with China on the issue during his visit to Beijing on October 22.

Sources said the Cabinet deferred a decision as China wants long term visas for its IT professionals working in India on various projects but is said to be dilly-dallying on a quid pro quo for Indian IT professionals belonging to companies like TCS, Wipro and the like who are working in China.
The proposal that was to be discussed by the Cabinet sought to liberalise the visa policy due to expansion in trade between the two countries and subsequent increase in visits by Chinese businessmen. These visitors belong mainly to the Information Technology (IT) and infrastructure sectors.
The Government was to revisit the 2003 protocol in the wake of a substantial increase in visits by Chinese nationals, which has led to jump in FDI inflows and involvement of that country in infrastructure projects here.

The present policy requires a mandatory two-month gap between exit and re-entry for tourist visas. Government had plans to change this rule as well.
However, the long term business visa will be available to regular visitors for only a three month stay in the first instance.