Congress slams PM Modi's move to announce e-visas for Chinese tourists

[definitelynotIndian]

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on Friday of e-visas for Chinese tourists drew flak from Congress as it charged that the facility was extended without resolving the issue of stapled visas handed by the neighbouring country to people from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Congress spokesman RPN Singh rued that New Delhi had agreed to the arrangement without Beijing first doing away with stapled visas.

"Diplomacy is all about quid pro quo and reciprocity," Singh told PTI while pointing out that the issue of e-visas was first raised by former prime minister Manmohan Singh when he had visited China. That time, the matter was tagged to the issue of China issuing stapled visas.

"It is unfortunate that the matter (of stapled visas) has not been raised this time at all," he averred.

In a confidence-building measure, Modi, who is on an official visit to China, announced today that India will grant e-visas to Chinese tourists.

The e-visa announcement came in the teeth of concerns expressed by the Home Ministry and security agencies over its possible misuse even as the External Affairs Ministry and Ministry of Tourism pressed for it.

Besides, the e-visa announcement was seen as a prelude to India relaxing investment norms for China to attract large-scale Chinese investment.

As to controversy kicked up yesterday over China's state-owned television showing India's map without Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh while reporting on Modi's visit, the Congress spokesman said it was "extremely belittling".

"We should take strong exception to it," he added.

Once again congress trying its best to nullify the progress between India and China.

The erroneous map was displayed during a bulletin while Modi was in Xi'an city, where he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday.

China has been laying territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, but India has been strongly resisting it.

Another Congress spokesman, Abhishek Singhvi, took a dig at the Modi government over the map controversy and said that the Chinese, through their action, had showed just how "strong" his dispensation was.

Singhvi further said on twitter that he is unable to understand the rationale behind the Prime Minister's visit to China.

"Still trying to understand the rationale behind Modi's China visit. It is as if he is on a summer vacation," he tweeted.

 

[uparyupari]

Modi is redefining the rules of engagement.

Something that should have been done ages ago. Just don't forget to strengthen the armed forces.

 

[magudi]

Kinda agree with Congress here

 

[PARIKRAMA]

What do u expect from Congress..

Yes stapled visa is a issue and so was the map shown in TV.. So what? SHould we not engage diplomatically and try to increase the confidence building measures to make them understand and sensitize the chinese political and economical masses about the misgivings and distrust.

Instead of crying hoarse, what have you as UPA government done in 10 years to build the confidence with China? WHat you did about stapled visa?
Every opposition party in India cries a lot be it congress or BJP.. When it come to power it changes the strategy and When in opposition it talks a different tune.. All of them should understand nation comes first over and above their silly mud slinging..

If issues are so important then make parliament work and discuss that there. There is always a option of passing a motion to embarrass the government if the majority in the parliament both houses disagrees to what Namo government did for enhancing cooperation and trust between India and CHina. Pass that resolution in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.. But COngress cant do that bcz not every political party is as foolish as them not to see the efforts GOI is making to build the trust deficit.

BTW i am not a blind bhakt and hence i say clearly, Stapled Visa is an issue and needs to be addressed as well..

 

[uparyupari]

Kinda agree with Congress here

Its a bold move. Modi has given easy access to Visa for all nations,, irrespective of weather they have reciprocated or not.

We stand to gain from it. Tourism has the potential to be one of the prime drives for our economy.

 

[magudi]

Its a bold move. Modi has given easy access to Visa for all nations,, irrespective of weather they have reciprocated or not.

We stand to gain from it. Tourism has the potential to be one of the prime drives for our economy.

It's all good, some sort of reciprocity would be appreciated though

 

[jaatram]

Kinda agree with Congress here

 

[uparyupari]

It's all good, some sort of reciprocity would be appreciated though

We can ensure reciprocity by growing our Economy and building a HUGE army.

Now by playing childish games with the Chinese like what the congress did.

 

[axisofevil]

For all this talk about tourism, do we have the capability to monitor all these tourists? Its common knowledge, many spy agencies will send spies thru this route. If our home ministry and security agencies are having an issue with it, then why would Modi go ahead in doing so? I rarely ever agree with Congress but I kind of see their point. Kind of! Plus, the map thing kind of angers me a bit. Like I said, if we give them an inch, they will take a foot.


The stapled visa has to be addressed.


Comparing the Modi visit to Nixon, makes me laugh. Nixon allowed China to milk the US for decades, then created a headache for them. Is that the path we want to follow?

 

[uparyupari]

For all this talk about tourism, do we have the capability to monitor all these tourists? Its common knowledge, many spy agencies will send spies thru this route. If our home ministry and security agencies are having an issue with it, then why would Modi go ahead in doing so? I rarely ever agree with Congress but I kind of see their point. Kind of! Plus, the map thing kind of angers me a bit. Like I said, if we give them an inch, they will take a foot.

Why do we need to monitor the tourists ? we need to defend our security installations.

We are not a police state.

Home ministry and security agencies have already given their opinion to Modi, not to the congress. We cannot live in denial. India is not paksitan and we need to stop acting like pakistani's. Its downright embarrassing.

The stapled visa has to be addressed.

It will, even if its not, what happens ? we stop trading with them ?

Comparing the Modi visit to Nixon, makes me laugh. Nixon allowed China to milk the US for decades, then created a headache for them. Is that the path we want to follow?

China compared him with Nixon, not Indians. So why are you getting your panties in a twist ?

 

[axisofevil]

Why do we need to monitor the tourists ? we need to defend our security installations.

We are not a police state.


Yea umm ok. Im not worried about spying of security installations. There are many other areas for concern.

Home ministry and security agencies have already given their opinion to Modi, not to the congress. We cannot live in denial. India is not paksitan and we need to stop acting like pakistani's. Its downright embarrassing.

I know that's why I pointed it out. What does Congress have to do with the agencies? How is India acting like Pakistan?

It will, even if its not, what happens ? we stop trading with them ?

Did you ever think of other creative possibilities that makes them think twice perhaps? Stop trading is the best you can come up with? How about any Tibetan visiting India be given a stapled visa that recognizes it as a separate entity?


China compared him with Nixon, not Indians. So why are you getting your panties in a twist ?

Did I say Indians compared him to Nixon? No. I pointed the analogy is not as great as they try to make it. Now pull the things out of your ***....

 

[desimorty]

Kinda agree with Congress here

Would stapled Visas lead to Kashmir falling into Pakistani hands? I don't think so. Modi is tough enough to understand the Chinese play tit for tat games and have failure in communication across international politics. If you want to deal with the Chinese, give them what they want, and when India is in a position of strength CCP would appease India. Which to an extent CCP is already doing.
I think Modi is PM whom actually understands, that their is not direct threat from China, but an indirect one. Reacting to such a threat is actually what CCP would want. Action will be more important than reacting to CCP Policy.