Government ready with Saarc business visa

The Narendra Modi government is ready to roll out a “business visa card” for Saarc nations, including Pakistan, in the new year, a move that is set to give a fillip to the bonhomie between India and the neighbouring countries.

In the new year, business travellers from Saarc countries will be able to enter India for business using the special card — being called the “India Business Card” — which will be given along with the visa and will enjoy a validity period of three years, giving them multiple entries into the country. Home minister Rajnath Singh is vetting the final draft before it is rolled out.

“The card will facilitate smooth travel for three years for business travellers coming from Saarc countries giving a substantial boost to regional trade,” a top MHA official said.

Despite initial concerns raised by security agencies about extending such facility to Pakistani nationals, the government has decided to go ahead with the plan by including all eight Saarc countries, including Pakistan, making it easier for traders and merchants in the region to travel and access India’s markets.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, during the Saarc summit in Kathmandu last year, announced business visas with three to five years’ validity for citizens of all Saarc member-countries.

Recently, the government had allowed a certain category of Pakistani nationals to be eligible for grant of multiple-entry business visas for a maximum period of one year and restricted to 10 places.

Now, the India Business Card will be given to those business travellers who have substantial business interests in the country — a criteria set by the guidelines finalised by the ministries of home affairs and commerce. The eligibility criteria will be announced alongside the rolling-out of the India business card, top sources said.

Notably, since the Modi government came to power, ease of doing business in India has been high on the priority list of the NDA government.