India calls out China over delay in issuing visas to its nationals

By Asianet Newsable English | First Published Jun 10, 2021, 9:34 PM IST

India hoped that the Chinese embassy would expedite the issuing the visas to Indian nationals, who want to travel to China for work or studies.

India on Thursday hoped that the Chinese embassy would expedite the issuing the visas to Indian nationals, who want to travel to China for work or studies.

Currently, Chinese nationals are able to travel to India despite the absence of direct connectivity. However, the Indian nationals cannot travel to China as the Chinese side had suspended existing visas since last November.

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"We have been in touch with the Chinese side in order to seek an early resumption of travel by Indian citizens to China, especially for those who work or study there. While we recognize the need to ensure safety and strictly follow Covid related protocols, essential two-way travel should be facilitated, especially keeping in view the fact that Chinese nationals are able to travel to India," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during the weekly press briefing.

In March this year, the Chinese embassy issued a notification about facilitating visas for those taking Chinese-made vaccines.

"It is understood that several Indian nationals have applied for Chinese visas after getting vaccinated in that manner, but are yet to be issued visas. Since these Indian nationals have apparently met the requirements laid down by the Chinese side. We hope that the Chinese Embassy would be able to issue them visas soon," he said.

India-China dialogue

So far, the military commanders of the two countries have had 11 rounds of talks to disengage from the other friction points. So far, the two forces have disengaged from just two friction points, including South and North Pangong Tso.

"We have repeatedly stressed that completion of disengagement in other areas would pave the way for the two sides to consider de-escalation of forces and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity and enable progress in bilateral relations,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

India-Afghanistan relations

In reply to a question on India's role in the Afghan peace process, Bagchi said, "We are in touch with various stakeholders, as I said, in pursuance of our long term commitment towards development and reconstruction of Afghanistan."

"Our relations with Afghanistan are historical and multi-faceted. We have been engaging with Afghans across ethnicities. As a friendly neighbour, we are concerned about peace and security in Afghanistan and the region," he said.

"We support all peace initiatives and have been engaged with several stakeholders including regional countries," the spokesperson added.

TRIPS waiver on vaccine production

In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted the first proposal, suggesting a waiver for all World Trade Organisation members on the implementation of certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of Covid-19.

In May this year, a revised proposal was submitted by 62 co-sponsors, including India, South Africa, and Indonesia.

A day ago, in its meeting the WTO TRIPS Council has agreed on text-based negotiations on the waiver.

"India and South Africa's proposal to WTO for relaxation in norms of agreement on TRIPS has gathered support from a number of countries. Introduced last October, the proposal aims to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines & medicines by developing nations," Bagchi added.

Fugitives in the United Kingdom

With regard to bringing back fugitive economic offenders, the spokesperson said, "The issue of extradition of economic offenders was discussed in the India-UK summit on May 4. The UK conveyed that there are some legal hurdles because of nature of criminal justice system in the country but they are aware of the issue and will help them extradite at the earliest."

"For Nirav Modi, UK Secretary of State on April 15 ordered his extradition to India. He is seeking to appeal against it but continues to stay in custody. We will make sure they are extradited at the earliest," Bagchi added.

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