India may ease visa norms for China

Source: The Hindu, 18/01/2016

India is all set to overhaul its security cooperation agreement with
China and further liberalise visa norms for the neighbouring country,
a senior government official has told The Hindu.


If the agreement comes through, China will deport Indians accused of
terrorist acts and operating in Chinese territory after its agencies
conduct an independent probe, the official said.


To begin with, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2005
between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Public
Security, People`s Republic of China, is being revisited to expand its
scope, said the official. The MoU was signed for exchange of
security-related information to combat terrorism.


"The new agreement will also factor in contemporary global threats
like the Islamic State, as many Chinese nationals are also learnt to
have joined the extremist outfit, especially those from the Uighur
region who are fighting for a separate state," said the
official.


India has been trying to rope in China to corner Pakistan, which
according to Indian officials, is involved in supporting
terror-related activities in this country.


Information sharing

As per the draft agreement, accessed by The Hindu, India and China
will exchange information on terrorist activities, terror groups and
their linkages and share experience on anti-hijacking, hostage-like
situations and coordinate positions on anti-terrorism endeavours at
regional and multilateral levels.


Indian agencies say that the United Liberation Front of Asom leader,
Paresh Baruah, shuttles between China and Myanmar to run his extortion
and terror rackets.


Even though India included China in the list of countries which have
been extended the facility of electronic tourist visa on arrival, the
neighbouring country has pressed for lifting restrictions on
conference and research visas as well. However, China is yet to
respond to India`s demand to offer a similar arrangement for its
citizens. Despite opposition from the intelligence agencies against
extending e-visa facility for the Chinese, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, during his maiden visit to the country in May 2015, had
announced it.


"China has assured that they were working on a mechanism that would
ease visa restrictions for Indians. This would include time-bound
replies to the applicants," said the official.


China is among the top five nations which have expressed interest in
doing business in India. According to Ministry of Home Affairs data,
eight Chinese companies were given the green signal to start business
operations in India under the Make in India policy.