No change in visa rules for BD : Indian HC

Indian High Commission (HC) in Dhaka said on Thursday there is no change in current visa procedures insofar as Bangladesh is concerned, reports UNB.
This was made clear by the spokesperson of the Indian HC in a clarification in response to reports in the Indian media regarding changes in the visa regime for foreigners visiting India.
The spokesperson also said that as and when there are changes to the existing system, these will be formally announced.
Bangladesh citizens wishing to travel to India are advised to continue to follow current procedures, which are available on www.hcidhaka.gov.in and the current online system for all visa applications continues.
BSS adds: The government of India approved a plan to extend visa-on-arrival facility to almost all countries Wednesday.
The move aims to make it easier for tourists to visit India and has been extended to 180 countries. But Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia are eight countries that have been kept out of the list due to security risk. The decision came from a meeting by the planning commission that includes prime minister office (PMO), ministry of Home, foreign and tourism.  
Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said the proposal had been cleared at a Planning Commission meeting attended by Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Foreign Secretary Sujata Singh and top PMO officials. "It is a major move and we hope it will boost tourism in a big way. We hope to implement this from the next tourist session beginning October," Shukla said.
While Indian intelligence agencies had been resisting the relaxed visa regime due to security concerns, they have now agreed to the proposal.
The move is expected to usher in a major revamp of India's tourist visa system. The model likely to be put in place will do away with the need to visit an Indian mission but will require tourists to make an online application before their departure.