Colombo: Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka on Friday 'categorically denied' that it has stopped issuing visas in the country, saying the disruption was caused by operational difficulties due to the inability of Visa Wing staff, most of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, to attend office.The High Commission said it was striving to return to its normal functioning soon.'High Commission categorically denies that it or the Indian Consulates-General or the Assistant High Commission of #India in #SriLanka have stopped issuing visas. In the past few days, there were operational difficulties due to the inability of our Visa Wing staff, most of whom are #SriLankan nationals, to attend office,' the Indian High Commission tweeted.'We are striving to return our functioning to the normal levels soon. We remain committed to facilitating ease of travel for #SriLankans to #India. #SriLankans are welcome in #India just as #Indians are in #SriLanka,' it said.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948, sparking protests in the country that has paralysed the country.Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later.The government re-imposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters.The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation.A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government.His resignation came after government supporters attacked peaceful anti-government protest sites in Colombo and elsewhere, killing at least 8 people and leaving over 200 others injured in the violence.Sri Lankan authorities on Wednesday deployed troops and military vehicles in the streets to ensure public security in the Capital amidst nationwide protests over the government's failure to tackle the worst economic crisis.The deployment came a day after the country's Ministry of Defence ordered the Army, the Air Force and the Navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others amidst violent protests in the island nation over the unprecedented economic crisis.—PTI

Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka on Friday 'categorically denied' that it has stopped issuing visas in the country, saying the disruption was caused by operational difficulties due to the inability of Visa Wing staff, most of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, to attend office.

India denies stopping issuance of visas in Sri Lanka

Chennai: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a fresh case against Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, for allegedly facilitating visa of 250 Chinese nationals after receiving illegal gratification of Rs 50 lakh, officials said on Tuesday. The CBI on Tuesday morning started coordinated search operations at nine locations in multiple cities in the country, including Karti Chidambaram's residence in Chennai, they said.The searches are being conducted at three locations in Chennai, three in Mumbai, one each in Karnataka, Punjab and Odisha, they added. "I have lost count, how many times has it been? Must be a record," Karti tweeted without specifying. In the new case which is off shoot of an ongoing probe, the CBI has alleged that Karti Chidambaram had received Rs 50 lakh alleged bribe to facilitate visa of 250 Chinese nationals during the United Progressive Alliance regime, the officials said.He is already under probe in getting Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance for INX media, they said.—PTI

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a fresh case against Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, for allegedly facilitating visa of 250 Chinese nationals after receiving illegal gratification of Rs 50 lakh, officials said on Tuesday.

CBI raids Karti Chidambaram for facilitating visas to Chinese

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday arrested S Bhaskararaman, a close associate of Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram, in connection with a Rs 50 lakh alleged bribery case for clearing visas of 263 Chinese nationals working at Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd in Punjab, officials said. The bribery incident is reported to have taken place in 2011 when Karti Chidambaram's father P Chidambaram was the Union home minister.The CBI took Bhaskararaman for questioning late Tuesday night and he was placed under arrest in the early hours of Wednesday, the officials said. The agency has alleged that Bhaskaraman was approached by Vikas Makharia, the then associate vice president of Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd, for the reissue of project visas for 263 Chinese workers working at the Mansa-based power plant which was in the process of being set up. The CBI FIR, which contains a findings of the investigating officer who probed the PE, has alleged that Makharia approached Karti through his "close associate/front man" Bhaskararaman, the officials said."They devised a back-door way to defeat the purpose of ceiling (maximum of project visas permissible to the company's plant) by granting permission to reuse 263 project visas allotted to the said Chinese company's officials," they said.Project visas were a special type of visa introduced in 2010 for the power and steel sector for which detailed guidelines were issued during P Chidambaram's tenure as the home minister but there was no provision of reissue of project visas, the FIR alleged."As per prevalent guidelines, deviation in rare and exceptional cases could be considered and granted only with the approval of the Home Secretary. However, in view of the above circumstances, the deviation in terms of reuse of project visas is likely to be approved by the then Home Minister...," it further alleged.Makharia allegedly submitted a letter to the Home Ministry on July 30, 2011, seeking approval to reuse the project visas allotted to his company, which was approved within a month and permission was issued, the officials said.“On August 17, 2011, Makharia, on being directed by Bhaskararaman, sent a copy of the above letter dated July 30, 2011 to him through e-mail which was forwarded to Karti...Bhakaskararaman after discussion with P Chidambaram, the then Home Minister, demanded an illegal gratification of Rs 50 lakh for ensuring the approval," the FIR alleged. It alleged that the payment of the said bribe was routed from TSPL to Karti and Bhaskararaman through Mumbai-based Bell Tools Ltd with payments camouflaged under two invoices raised for consultancy and out of pocket expenses for Chinese visas related works.Makharia had later thanked Karti and Bhaskararaman on email, it added.—PTI

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday arrested S Bhaskararaman, a close associate of Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram, in connection with a Rs 50 lakh alleged bribery case for clearing visas of 263 Chinese nationals working at Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd in Punjab, officials said.

'Bribe for visas': CBI arrests Karti Chidambaram's close aide

Madrid: Spain plans to relax work permit rules for foreigners, its social security and migration minister said on Friday, seeking to address labour shortages in key industries such as tourism and construction that threaten its economic recovery. The government intends to grant more temporary visas for sectors that need workers, Jose Luis Escriva told reporters. Labour shortages have been reported in the tourism, agriculture, construction and technology industries."We are evaluating different aspects of the migration law and where there is room to improve it ... in order to address bottlenecks in Spain's labour market," he said. Spain's tourism industry has seen a strong rebound but companies are struggling to find workers willing to wait tables and clean hotel rooms, according to reports from business organisations and consultancy S&amp;P Global.Staff shortages have also been reported in fruit orchards and on construction sites. Friday's S&amp;P monthly purchasing managers survey showed that although the service sector reported stronger demand in May, businesses were unable to grow as fast as expected because of problems finding workers. "Hiring additional staff came at a cost in the form of higher wages being paid," S&amp;P said. Labour shortages also threaten European Union-funded projects worth billions of euros that the government is counting on to get the economy back to its pre-COVID level.Spain's economy was the hardest hit in the euro zone by the pandemic, shrinking 11% in 2020. Though unemployment is still high, at 13.65%, the pandemic encouraged more workers into the formal economy as official contracts were needed to collect furlough payments. As a result, formal employment has reached a record high, causing shortages in some areas. Spain already has migration programmes with countries such as Morocco, Ecuador and Colombia and is open to extending temporary work visas to other Central America countries. A new pilot programme started with Honduras earlier this year, sources told Reuters.—REUTERS

Spain plans to relax work permit rules for foreigners, its social security and migration minister said on Friday, seeking to address labour shortages in key industries such as tourism and construction that threaten its economic recovery. The government intends to grant more temporary visas for sectors that need workers, Jose Luis Escriva told reporters.

Spain to grant more work visas to combat labour shortages

Tokyo: The pending visas of the Indian contingent for the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup at Chateauroux, France, next week were cleared on Saturday after initial rejection, due to last minute intervention by the Indian government.Six members of the contingent, including double Paralympic medallist Singharaj Adhana, were initially denied visas to travel to France, despite the intervention of the Indian government. But the Sports Authority of India (SAI) later in the day said that the visas of the remaining members of the contingent have been cleared by the French Embassy after the Sports Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs intervened for the second time."The pending visas of 3 athletes and 4 support staff of the Indian Para Shooters contingent going to France for competition has been cleared by the French embassy after further requests from MYAS and MEA. The team will fly out to France tomorrow," the SAI said in a tweet.The Indian team is expected to reach France in time for the event as it starts on June 6 as per the schedule given in International Paralympic Committee website.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The matter relating to the denial of visas came to light after Tokyo Paralympic Games gold medallist shooter Avani Lekhara took to twitter, seeking help following denial of visa to her escort and mother Shewata Jewaria and coach Rakesh Manpat.Avani later confirmed the clearance of visas by the French Embassy in New Delhi."Got visas, going tomorrow. Have gratitude for everything that happens in life!" she tweeted.Earlier, talking to PTI from the airport, chief national coach and chairman of Indian Para Shooting Jai Prakash Nautiyal said Lekhara and her coach Manpat's visas were cleared."Avani and her coach's visas were granted but her escort, who is also her mother, didn't get her visa," Nautiyal said."Besides, three para shooters -- Singharaj, Rahul Jhakhar and Deepinder Singh (all para pistol shooters) and two coaches Subhas Rana (national coach) and Vivek Saini (assistant coach) did not get their visas."The French embassy didn't mention any reason, simply said there is a huge surge for visas. We applied for our visas on April 23 and were sure of getting all cleared. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also intervened and were helping us but despite that visas of six members were rejected," he added. The event is of significance for Indian para shooters as Paris Paralympics quota places were on offer there."We are now going with a 22-member contingent, which includes 14 shooters. We were quite confident of getting visas of all members cleared since Paris will be the host for the next Paralympics and there are 18 quota places on offer at the 2024 Paralympics," Nautiyal said.—PTI

The pending visas of the Indian contingent for the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup at Chateauroux, France, next week were cleared on Saturday after initial rejection, due to last minute intervention by the Indian government.

Shooting WC in France: Visas approved for pending Indian para shooters

New Delhi: Pakistan on Tuesday issued 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims for the annual festival scheduled from June 8-17. High Commission for Pakistan took the initiative on the eve of the martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev. Expressing his views on the auspicious occasion, Charge d’Affaires Aftab Hasan Khan, extended his heartfelt felicitations to the pilgrims and wished them a rewarding and fulfilling yatra, read the High Commission for Pakistan press release.The issuance of visas is covered under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974. Every year, a large number of Sikh Yatrees from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions. The visas issued from New Delhi are in addition to the visas granted to Sikh pilgrims participating in these events from other countries. During the visit, the pilgrims would, inter alia, go to Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib. They would enter Pakistan on June 8 and return back to India on June 17, 2022, added the release.—ANI

Pakistan on Tuesday issued 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims for the annual festival scheduled from June 8-17. High Commission for Pakistan took the initiative on the eve of the martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev.

Pak issues 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims for annual festival

New Delhi: Following the attack on Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday that resulted in the death of two persons, India has decided to grant e-visas to over 100 Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan on priority.As per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sources, the decision was taken late last night. Meanwhile, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) on Sunday claimed the responsibility for the Karte Parwan Gurdwara attack in Kabul.ISKP released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. According to ISKP, 'Abu Mohammed al Tajiki' carried out the attack which lasted for three hours.The group claimed that besides submachine guns and hand grenades, four IEDs and a car bomb were also used in the attack. It further claimed that about 50 Hindu Sikhs and Taliban members were killed in the attack and the attack was conducted as revenge for the insult of Prophet Mohammed by an Indian politician.However, in the attack, only two people were killed and seven others were wounded.Strong action has already been taken against those who made derogatory remarks. A statement was also issued by concerned quarters emphasizing respect for all religions, denouncing insult to any religious personality or demeaning any religion or sect. Vested interests that are against India-Kuwait relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments.The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma from the party's primary membership and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their alleged inflammatory remarks against minorities.At least two civilians, including a Sikh man and a Muslim security guard, died after an attack by ISKP in Afghanistan's Kabul city on Saturday.Initial inputs suggested that an explosion took place outside the gate of the Gurdwara killing at least two people. Another explosion was later heard from inside the complex and some shops attached to the Gurdwara caught fire. The holy Guru Granth Sahib from Gurudwara in Afghanistan's capital city Kabul was retrieved from the complex, from which plumes of smoke were seen billowing out after the attack early this morning, according to visuals posted on social media.Visuals posted by locals on social media show a barefoot man carrying the Guru Granth Sahib on his head. The visuals show two or three more people, all walking without footwear accompanying him.According to Sikh religious belief, the Saroop, a physical copy of the Guru Granth Sahib is considered a living guru. The transportation of Guru Granth Sahib is governed by a strict code of conduct and as a mark of respect, the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on the head, and the person walks barefoot.According to reports, the Holy Book was taken to the residence of Gurnam Singh, president, of Gurdwara Karte Parwan. Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been targets of violence in Afghanistan.In October, last year 15 to 20 terrorists entered a Gurdwara in the Kart-e-Parwan District of Kabul and tied up the guards. In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul's Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. —ANI

Following the attack on Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday that resulted in the death of two persons, India has decided to grant e-visas to over 100 Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan on priority.

India To Grant E-Visas To Over 100 Sikhs, Hindus In Afghanistan On Priority

New Delhi:&nbsp;Two people, working as passport agents, were arrested for duping people on the pretext of sending them abroad, a Delhi Police official said Monday.The accused, identified as Jaswinder Singh and Harmesh Chand, were involved in arranging fake Russian visas along with their counterparts in UP and Punjab. They were operating in rural areas of Punjab and were involved in settling down people in Russia by unfair means.Deputy Commissioner of Police, IGI Airport, Tanu Sharma said a complaint was received from the IGI Airport Immigration Department that one passenger came to immigration counter seeking departure immigration to Abu Dhabi.During scrutiny of his travel documents, it was found that a Russian business visa affixed on his passport was fake with no security features.During interrogation, the passenger disclosed that earlier he wanted to go to Russia for work purposes and came in contact with an agent, namely Jaswinder Singh, who took Rs 1 lakh from him and provided him with a fake Russian visa."In view of the scam of duping people on the pretext of sending them to foreign countries and to bust the whole nexus, a team was constituted with the specific tasks to locate the movement of the accused travel agent and to nab him," the DCP said.The team, after technical and manual surveillance, zeroed down on Jaswinder Singh and subsequently arrested him."He disclosed that he was working as a sub agent and was in contact with the main agent Harmesh Chand for the last 2 years. He was working as a commission agent for Harmesh Chand, who affixed a fake visa on the passport of the passenger," the official said.During sustained interrogation, it was found that Harmesh Chand was the mastermind of the entire racket. The police team then traced the location of the accused to Jalandhar from where he was nabbed.The official said that Harmesh Chand disclosed that he used to arrange fake visas from an agent who is a resident of Varanasi. Further efforts are being made to trace and arrest him, the official added.—IANS

Two people, working as passport agents, were arrested for duping people on the pretext of sending them abroad, a Delhi Police official said Monday.

 Two held for duping people through fake visas

London (The Hawk): In an effort to strengthen bilateral and commercial ties, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that 3,000 Indians will be granted visas annually to come to the United Kingdom.
Under the new UK-India Young Professionals Scheme, the country will grant 3,000 spots annually to Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 with a bachelor's degree to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years.
The decision comes as Sunak meets Narendra Modi for the first time on the sidelines of the Indonesian G20 conference.
"The Indo-Pacific is becoming increasingly vital to our safety and prosperity. In a statement provided by the Prime Minister's Office, Sunak said, "The next decade will be characterised by what happens in this region, which is teeming with dynamic, fast-growing economies."
"I have firsthand knowledge of the immense value of our country's cultural and historical links with India. I am glad that a greater number of India's best young people will now be able to experience everything that living in the United Kingdom has to offer, and vice versa, so enriching our economies and societies."
The relationship will be reciprocal.
India accounts for over a quarter of all international students in the United Kingdom, and Indian investment in the United Kingdom supports 95,000 jobs across the country.
"The launch of the initiative is a momentous occasion for both our bilateral relationship with India and the UK's broader commitment to building deeper linkages with the Indo-Pacific region in order to strengthen both of our economies," read a statement from Downing Street.
The United Kingdom is also in the process of negotiating a trade pact with India, which would allow it to capitalise on the prospects given by India's burgeoning economy and expand the already 24 billion-pound economic connection between the two countries.
(Inputs from Agencies)

In an effort to strengthen bilateral and commercial ties, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that 3,000 Indians will be granted visas annually to come to the United Kingdom.

New initiative to  grant 3,000 Indians UK visas annually

New Delhi News: In a fresh controversy that broke after China decided to 'freeze' visas of two Indian journalists, New Delhi on Thursday said it hoped that authorities in Beijing would facilitate continued presence of its journalists in the Asian nation.

"There are Chinese journalists who have valid Indian visas to undertake journalistic activities. So from that perspective, I do not see any limitations or difficulties in reporting or doing media coverage," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Stating that India is in touch with Chinese authorities in this regard, Bagchi said: "As regards Indian journalists working in China, we would hope that Chinese authorities would facilitate their continued presence and reporting from China."

Correspondents for The Hindu newspaper and state broadcaster Prasar Bharati were told on Tuesday that their visas have been frozen.

Responding to the move, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that journalists from China have been unfairly treated in India for a long time, adding that a Xinhua journalist was recently asked to leave India by March 31.

The development came days after India objected to China renaming names of 11 locations in Arunchal Pradesh, which China calls 'Zangnan', the southern part of Tibet, and claims as its territory.

The ties between the two Asian behemoths have deteriorated since mid-2020, when Chinese and Indian troops clashed at the Galwan Valley, leaving 24 dead. IANS

In a fresh controversy that broke after China decided to 'freeze' visas of two Indian journalists, New Delhi on Thursday said it hoped that authorities in Beijing would facilitate continued presence of its journalists in the Asian nation.

Hope China to facilitate continued presence of Indian journalists: MEA

Washington: In order to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the United States, the Joe Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, Reuters reported citing three people familiar with the matter. The development comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to the US. The US State Department could make the announcement on Thursday that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas in the US, without the need to having to travel to other nations, Reuters reported citing one of the sources, part of a pilot program that could be expanded in coming years. By far, a large percentage of H-1B visa holders and applicants hail from India. Indian citizens made up 73 per cent of the nearly 4,42,000 H1-B workers in the fiscal year 2022. Another US official said that the mobility of the people is considered a "huge asset" to the US. "And so our goal is to approach that in a sort of multifaceted way. The State Department already has been working very hard to find creative ways to make changes to things," Reuters quoted the US official as saying. A US State Department spokesperson did not reveal the visa types that would qualify or the timing of the pilot launch. The spokesperson said that the pilot will start with a small number of cases with the intent to scale the initiative in the following one or two years, Reuters reported. Each year, the US government makes 65,000 H1-B visas available to companies that intend to have skilled foreign workers and an additional 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, Reuters reported. The visa for the workers remains valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years. The decision to allow some of the temporary foreign workers to renew their visas in the US will free up resources for visa interviews in consulates in other nations, Reuters reported citing the sources. Citing sources, the report said the pilot program will include some workers with L-1 visas. Earlier in March, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the country has received the sufficient number of electronic registrations needed to reach the Congressionally mandated H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2024. "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master's cap)," USCIS said in the statement. "We have randomly selected from the registrations properly submitted to reach the cap, and have notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration," it added. —ANI

In order to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the United States, the Joe Biden administration will make it 

Biden Administration Plans To Ease Visas For Skilled Indian Workers Amid PM Modi's State Visit To US: Report

Washington: The United States is planning to implement in-country renewable H-1B visas, a monumental step that will allow thousands of Indian professionals now working in the US to keep their positions without having to fly abroad to renew their work visas. In preparation for Thursday's bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Joe Biden at the White House, a senior administration official explained that this is all part of the people-to-people strategy.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that is highly sought after by US employers looking to hire foreign nationals with theoretical or technical competence in specialty areas.
Tens of thousands of people from developing nations like India and China are hired by IT firms every year because of it.<span style="color: rgb(53,53,53);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: medium;font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji;">—Inputs from Agencies

The United States is planning to implement in-country renewable H-1B visas, a monumental step that will allow thousands of Indian professionals now working in the US to keep their positions without having to fly abroad to renew their work visas.

US set to introduce in-country renewable for H-1B visa: official

New Delhi: The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General have issued more than 71,600 visas to Indians travelling to China so far in 2023, Chinese Embassy in India spokesperson Wang Xiaojian said on Tuesday.  He noted that visa to Indian nationals has been granted for purposes of business, study, tourism, work, family reunion etc. In a tweet, Wang Xiaojian further that China is looking forward to the early lifting of visa restrictions towards Chinese nationals and the resumption of people-to-people exchanges between India and China.  "In the first half of 2023, the Chinese Embassy &amp; Consulates General have issued over 71600 visas to Indian people travelling to China for purposes of business, study, tourist, work, family reunion etc," Wang Xiaojian said in a tweet. In another tweet, he wrote, "We look forward to early lifting of visa restrictions towards Chinese nationals and resumption of people-to-people exchanges between China &amp; India."  Earlier in May, Wang Xiaojian had announced that the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General issued more than 60,000 visas to Indians travelling to China in the first five months of 2023, The visas to Indian nationals had been granted for various purposes, including tourism, business, study, work and family reunions.  Wang Xiaojian tweeted, "In the first 5 months of this year, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General have issued over 60000 visas to Indian people travelling to China for purposes of business, study, tourist, work, family reunion etc. Welcome to China."  Earlier in March, China announced that it will allow foreign tourists into the country, including from India for the first time in three years. In a notification issued on March 14, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in India said that it will resume issuing various types of Chinese visas. In a notification, the Chinese Embassy in India stated, "Chinese visas that were issued before March 28, 2020 and remains within valid period will be reactivated." It further said, "The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in India will resume issuing various types of Chinese visas. For more details, please check the updated Notice on the Requirements for Chinese Visa Application." —ANI

The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General have issued more than 71,600 visas to Indians travelling to China so far in 2023

China Issues Over 71,600 Visas To Indians In First Half Of 2023; Hopes For Early Lifting Of Restrictions For Chinese Nationals

New Delhi: India on Thursday described as "unacceptable" China issuing stapled visas to some sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that it reserves the right to "suitably respond" to such actions.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has lodged its "strong protest" with the Chinese side on the matter and there should be no discrimination on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens.
People familiar with the matter said the visit of a 12-member team of Wushu players to China's Chengdu to compete at the World University Games was called off on Wednesday night as three players from Arunachal Pradesh in the group were given stapled visas.
The decision to put on hold the team's travel was taken after the government examined the matter. "It has come to our notice that stapled visas were issued to some of our citizens representing the country in an international sporting event in China," Bagchi said.
"This is unacceptable and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter and India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions," he said. Bagchi said this at a media briefing while responding to a question on the matter.
"Our long-standing and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports," he said.
While other members of the team received normal visas, the players from Arunachal Pradesh were given stapled visas, the people cited above said. In the past too, there were instances of China issuing stapled visas to Indians from Arunachal Pradesh that drew sharp reactions from New Delhi.
China has been laying claims over Arunachal Pradesh saying it is part of Southern Tibet.
In April, India outright rejected China's renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of India and assigning "invented" names does not alter this reality.
—PTI

India on Thursday described as "unacceptable" China issuing stapled visas to some sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh

Unacceptable! India Sees Red Over Stapled China Visas

New Delhi: The US Embassy in India has issued a record 90,000 student visas this Summer (July-August). With this, almost one in four student visas issued worldwide, was issued in the India. “The US Mission in India is pleased to announce that we issued a record number – over 90,000 – of student visas this Summer/ in June, July, and August. This summer almost one in four student visas worldwide was issued right here in India!” the US Embassy in India wrote on ‘X’ formerly Twitter on Monday.
The US Embassy then congratulated students who have chosen the United States to make their higher education goals a reality. Recently, United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said that the wait time for first-time tourist visa interviews has been reduced by more than 50 per cent, adding that goal for 2023 is to process at least one million visas. Speaking at IIT Delhi, Garcetti highlighted the progress made in visa processing, stating that the US Mission in India is currently processing visas faster than ever before. Addressing the audience at IIT Delhi, Garcetti said, "We're already doing this. We're currently processing more visas, faster, than the US Mission in India ever has before. We have set a goal for ourselves to process at least a million visas in 2023, and we're already more than halfway towards reaching that goal." India and the US have taken several initiatives to make the visa process smooth. Earlier, during his visit to the United State, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that Indian professionals will no longer need to leave America for the renewal of their H-1B visas.
The United States authorities announced that they will introduce 'in-country' renewable H-1B visas as part of the people-to-people initiative to smoothen the process of H-1B visa renewal.  PM Modi had also announced that the United States will open new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.  Meanwhile, India is going to open a new consulate in Seattle this year. Apart from this, Indian Consulates will be opened in 2 more cities in America. Earlier in June speaking at the US embassy, US envoy to India Eric Garcetti had said that one of every 5 student visas were issued in India. "One out of every 5 US students visa was issued here in India in 2022. One out of five in the world which is more than the proportion of the Indian population in the world" Garcetti had said "So, Indians have not only pursued an education in the United States but for decades have shown their excellence in the United States and we are on track to process the highest number of visa applications in our history"Garcetti added.&nbsp;
—ANI

The US Embassy in India has issued a record 90,000 student visas this Summer (July-August). With this, almost one in four student visas issued worldwide

US Embassy in India issued record 90,000 student visas this summer

New Delhi: The US Mission to India has reached and surpassed the goal to process one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023.  The mission has already surpassed the total number of cases processed in 2022 and is processing almost 20 per cent more applications than in the pre-pandemic year 2019.&nbsp;
The US Embassy and Consulates in India said in a statement that last year over 1.2 million Indians visited US, making one of the most robust travel relationships in the world.&nbsp;
"Indians now represent over 10 per cent of all visa applicants worldwide, including 20 per cent of all student visa applicants and 65 per cent of all H&amp;L-category (employment) visa applicants. The United States welcomes this growth," the statement said.  The US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti expressed happiness as he shared the information "Our partnership with India is one of the United States’ most important bilateral relationships, and in fact one of the most important relationships in the world" he said.  "The ties between our people are stronger than ever, and we will continue our record-setting volume of visa work in the coming months to give as many Indian applicants as possible the opportunity to travel to the United States and experience the U.S.-India friendship first hand” Garcetti added.
The US envoy to gave Visa to the one millionth US Visa holder, Ranju Singh and her spouse, who are planning to go the US to meet their son who is studying there.  
Garcetti congratulated them as he gave them their visas and had a brief conversation with the one millionth US visa holder.
He further highlighted that PM Modi and US President Joe biden said "lets do a better job of moving faster on visas, so the Ministry of External Affairs approved more bodies in places like hyderabad, more people who can work on these visas. We changed our systems, we worked smarter, worked harder and got a million visa applications..." "This is really people to people relationhip and not just country to country relationship," he added.  The envoy said that US will continue to invest heavily in its operations in India as it recognizes the continues demand for US visas.  The US Embassy in India marked the occassion by posting a video on X that said "Mission to one million accomplished."  "#Missionto1M accomplished! We are excited to announce that the U.S. Mission to India has reached and surpassed our goal to process one million visa applications in 2023! We will not stop here and continue our progress in coming months, to give as many Indian applicants the opportunity to travel to the United States," the post said.  https://x.com/USAndIndia/status/1707275530465402965?s=20 In the Video US Envoy Garcetti said that people to people ties between the United States and India are stronger than ever.  "To all one million applicants, thank you for choosing to be a part of the US-india story. Whether you are studying, working, vacationing, or investing, your contributions are a big part of what makes this relationship so great," Garcetti said in the video. The US Embassy in its statement said that it was investing heavily in facilitating faster visa processing. "In the past year, the Mission has expanded its staffing to facilitate more visa processing than ever before. The Mission has made significant capital improvements to existing facilities, such as the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, and has inaugurated a new Consulate building in Hyderabad," a statement from the US Embassy said.  According to the statement, the mission has also implemented strategies to increase efficiency extending interview waiver eligibility to new visa categories and utilizing remote work to allow staff around the world to contribute to Indian visa processing.  "Early next year, the Mission plans to implement a pilot program that would allow domestic visa renewal for qualified H&amp;L-category employment visa applicants," the statement from the US Embassy read.  During US President Joe Biden's visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Biden stated in a joint statement that the countries share a "close and enduring" partnership.  According to the joint statement, "Improved visa processing is only one example of the U.S. Mission to India’s ongoing commitment to strengthening that partnership."
—ANI

The US Mission to India has reached and surpassed the goal to process one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023. 

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