India, Bangladesh to ease visa norms

[RPK]

India, Bangladesh to ease visa norms

After Pakistan, India is set to sign a liberal visa agreement with Bangladesh when Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde flies to Dhaka on a three-day official trip on January 28.

The tone of the scheduled trip has already been set by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who told mediapersons in Dhaka that there are no border disputes with India before her maiden Moscow visit, which would be music to mandarins in the South Block given the harrowing time they are confronted by Pakistan.
Hasina said that she was successful in settling the “long-standing disputes with India over the division of the Ganges River water resources”, as well as in settling the border demarcation issue within two years, a news agency reported.

The revised travel arrangement, extradition treaty and exchange of strip maps identifying land location to match with revenue records along 4068 km fence of bordering states between the two nations are the other highlights of the proposed visit, government sources said.

During Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka in 2011, the two neighbours had signed a historic pact to exchange 162 enclaves between themselves. However, the UPA government will have to amendment the Constitution to settle the enclaves issue, which are patches of land each country holds in other jurisdiction.

The two countries had reached an agreement on demarcation of the border and exchange of enclaves in 1974, covering 111 enclaves in India and 51 on the other side of the fence that houses about 51,000 people. After settling the issues, the enclaves residents would have the right either to continue in their respective areas or choose the country they want to move on.

The draft of the visa agreement, allowing relaxed travel norms for businessmen and citizens above 65 years and children below 12 as agreed with Pakistan, has been approved by both governments.

Ministry sources said that Hasina government has returned draft extradition treaty with some suggested changes to the ministry of external affairs, which the Union Cabinet has to clear before Shinde trip to Dhaka.

“We hope, both the treaties will be signed during the Home Minister’s visit to Bangladesh,” a Home Ministry official said.

 

[DroneMailini]

I think India should improve its relationship with Bangladesh, This will Increase stability in North East India, Further border disputes between India and Bangladesh have to be settled without any violence, This can be done by better border management techniques and providing economic Incentives to people living on both the side of borders, This move will help both the countries. I hope in New Year 2013, India Bangladesh Border remains peaceful without any firing Incident.

 

[Spring Onion]

easing visa norms for oldest people and kids who by the way cant fly for business purposes/trade is like a practical joke

 

[KRAIT]

easing visa norms for oldest people and kids who by the way cant fly for business purposes/trade is like a practical joke

But they can easily use medical care. Hope you know about it. many people from Pakistan comes due to this medical visa too. And most of the patients are either old people or children.

Do you want me to give you proof ?

 

[Spring Onion]

But they can easily use medical care. Hope you know about it. many people from Pakistan comes due to this medical visa too. And most of the patients are either old people or children.

Do you want me to give you proof ?

Yes indeed for healthcare tourism its benficial.


this easing of visa norms should be for other ages as well since many families are living across these countries so that they can travel to see their relatives

 

[KRAIT]

Yes indeed for healthcare tourism its benficial.
this easing of visa norms should be for other ages as well since many families are living across these countries so that they can travel to see their relatives

We already have problems with migrating BD. It will be difficult for us to track any person who doesn't return back and gets settled in India.

Meeting with relatives is not the issue of India. Last thing we need are more BD people living in India.

I would rather like that India helps in economic development of BD so that people don't have to migrate. Its win win for all.

 

[arp2041]

this easing of visa norms should be for other ages as well since many families are living across these countries so that they can travel to see their relatives

As if they apply for the VISA on the first place

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

What? Nooo.!!
The GoI better can give Electoral and Ration cards to them as well.

For medical purposes and business purposes its ok. We are already having a lottta problem with illegal migration.

 

[livingdead]

people who come on visa from bangladesh do not settle in India. Its the one who sneak into India without visa, we should be worried about them.

 

[Spring Onion]

As if they apply for the VISA on the first place

they decide to apply at the second place.

 

[LaBong]

easing visa norms for oldest people and kids who by the way cant fly for business purposes/trade is like a practical joke

There are daily bus and train service between Dhaka-Kolkata-Agartala. Tickets are pretty cheap. Most Bangladeshis who come here are either for medicare or tourism.

 

[Spring Onion]

There are daily bus and train service between Dhaka-Kolkata-Agartala. Tickets are pretty cheap. Most Bangladeshis who come here are either for medicare or tourism.

for health tourism India should have taken this step much before. but better late than never as they say

The only issue here is that these under 12 and over 65 age group must be accompanied by their younger relatives so again its back to square one

 

[MST]

for health tourism India should have taken this step much before. but better late than never as they say

The only issue here is that these under 12 and over 65 age group must be accompanied by their younger relatives so again its back to square one

Those above 12 and below 65 are considered fit for pole vaulting by Indian Govt so they won't get any concession. They are expected to come to India via Pole Vaulting. It was a long time complaint from Bangladesh Govt that those below 12 and above 65 can't be expected to Pole Vault. To remove this discrimination the the Indian Govt has agreed to grant visa on arrival to these folks. Now every one in Bangladesh will have equal right to come and settle in India

 

[jackyy]

Do bangladeshis need visa?

they are already packed here without it

 

[TopCat]

We already have problems with migrating BD. It will be difficult for us to track any person who doesn't return back and gets settled in India.

Meeting with relatives is not the issue of India. Last thing we need are more BD people living in India.

I would rather like that India helps in economic development of BD so that people don't have to migrate. Its win win for all.

If BD stop eating cows, 10% Indian will die out of hunger.. Come to reality my friend.

Good move by Indian govt which will bring a lot of foreign currency to India.

But I hope BD does not entertain similar facilities to Indian as they have a tendency of applying for job once come here and they dont pay taxes.