Tourists from 5 more nations to benefit

To give a boost to Buddhist religious destinations,the government has decided to issue tourist visas on arrival to citizens of five new countries Cambodia,Vietnam,Philippines,Laos and Myanmar with whom India shares deep historical ties. South Block sources said the facility will be rolled out from January 1,2011. The single-entry visa,to be given by Immigration officials at Delhi,Mumbai,Chennai and Kolkata airports,will have a validity of 30 days. decision was taken after deliberation between the External Affairs,Home and Tourism ministries and a formal announcement is expected soon.Currently,the scheme is available for citizens of Finland,Japan,Luxembourg,New Zealand and Singapore. With 5,644 tourists availing of this facility between January and November this year,the government wanted to take forward the momentum and include new countries.The move fits in well with New Delhis look-east policy,which has gathered momentum in the last few months with a slew of high-level visits. President Pratibha Patil visited Laos and Cambodia in September this year,PM Manmohan Singh had gone to Vietnam in