Move expected to boost tourism, says Indian Minister
As part of a series of confidence building measures with
China, India today announced the setting up of visa on arrival facility for
Chinese visitors coming to Ladakh. Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid
said that this facility would go a long way in improving ties between India and
China. “We are aware of the Chinese people’s desire to see Ladakh and the
resulting tourist arrivals there. We wish to facilitate this in any way we can
and are coordinating closely with the Ministry of Tourism to make their visit
and stay as comfortable as possible. Local guides were also offered but the
Chinese declined to use them, insisting that their guides knew the area better.”
Mr. Sreekumar Tripathy, an immigration official posted in
Ladakh, spoke to us over the telephone and described the scene at the border. “We
are seeing heavy inflows of Chinese tourists and are working round the clock to
facilitate their entry. They are very
organized and orderly people. They walk
in straight lines and unusually, also wear similar clothes. They appear to be
adventure tourists as they are carrying camping and climbing gear. Overall things are going smoothly. ”
Speaking on behalf of the Communist Party of India, Mr.
Prakash Karat welcomed the move and said that the Government must do more to
build bridges with China. “India has long suffered due to Western imperialism
and it makes sense to look east. Our history tells us that China is the perfect
ally to counter America’s military ambitions in South Asia. In fact, just as it
was in 1962, we believe that the Chinese nationals should not require visas to
visit India. ”
In related news, Pakistan has also woken up to the
possibility of closer ties and requested for visa on arrival in Mumbai and
Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.
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