Centre proposes three-year visa for Pakistan businessmen

[related-post]

Presently, business visa is provided to those from Pakistan and Bangladesh for only one year. Intelligence agencies have red-flagged the proposal and have expressed apprehensions to some extent for Bangladesh also. But the government is keen to implement the decision as soon as possible to boost the economy in the region even though bilateral relations with Pakistan have hit a low.

Presently, two categories of business visas are provided to businessmen from Pakistan — first, a one-year multiple entry business visa to businessmen to visit up to five places, four times a year.

Second, to businessmen whose annual turnover or sale is more than Rs 30 lakh, a one-year multiple entry business visa for up to ten places, with exemption from police reporting.

The third category, which is at the proposal stage, will also be exempt from police reporting.

“We have to be practical in our approach if the economy in the SAARC region is to be boosted. We plan to ease visa restrictions for only businessmen. Modalities are being discussed to extend the facility to Pakistan also,” said a senior official.

The official added that they have already studied the visa arrangements for other SAARC nations — Maldives, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan.

Nepalese citizens do not require visas to come to India.

“Since the PM’s announcement involves not only Pakistan  but other countries as well, we will have to take a pragmatic approach. India is one of the biggest economies among the SAARC countries and the dispute with Pakistan cannot come in the way of the larger scheme of things,” said the official.

In a meeting held recently at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to discuss the issue, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) reportedly opposed any such move.

“We have to live with reality, some checks and balances will have to be introduced. Since the PM has already made the announcement, it would be embarrassing now to go back on the propose,” said the official.