Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing more on his visit to Indonesia than just flying kites with President Joko Widodo. He’s also working on building warmer relations between the two countries as evidenced by a wonderful piece of news he gave to Indonesian tourists planning to visit his homeland in the future.
During an address at the Jakarta Convention Center yesterday, Modi announced that his government will be waiving visa fees for Indonesian tourists.
“We will grant free of cost visas for Indonesian citizens for travel of up to 30 days,” Modi said, as quoted by Times of India.
“Not only do the names of our nations rhyme but also there is a distinct rhythm in the India-Indonesia friendship,” he added.
Modi did not mention when the visa waiver would officially come into effect, but he did say that he invites Indonesians to come to India for the Kumbh Mela festival — the largest human congregation on earth — the next edition of which will be held in Allahabad (formerly Prayag) from January to March 2019.
Currently, Indonesians must pay IDR1.32 million (US$94.80) for a six-month tourist visa to India. Conversely, since 2015, Indian tourists have been eligible for free 30-day tourist visas to Indonesia.
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