Govt to further ease visa regime to boost tourism, biz: Swaraj

October 23, 2016 17:04

The government on Sunday said it is planning to further relax the visa regime "shortly" to attract more tourists and businesses to the country.

"We plan to further liberalise our visa regime for tourism, business as well as other areas shortly," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at the valedictory session of the Global Investors Meet in Indore.

She said visa was one of the areas of concern for foreigners and Indians living abroad.

The minister said the government has already taken steps to address these concerns.

In November 2014, government launched the e-visa scheme for over 100 countries. It was extended to 37 more countries this year, taking the total number to 150.

"With the launch of the e-visa scheme, tourist arrivals in India has steadily increased," she said, adding the 25 million strong Indian diaspora, comprising NRIs and PIOs, are a significant force for promoting India's interests abroad.

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