PM Narendra Modi announces 30 day-free visa for Indonesian Citizens

Mr. Modi announced a 30-day free visa for Indonesian citizens and invited the diaspora to travel to their country of origin to experience the ‘new India’.

Addressing a gathering of Indian diaspora at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Mr. Modi said, “not only do the names of our nations rhyme but also there is a distinct rhythm in the India-Indonesia friendship. We will grant free of cost visa for Indonesian citizens for travel of up to 30 days,” Mr. Modi said, amid applause. Many of you may never have been to India. I invite you all to come to India for the Kumbh in Prayag next year.”

Taking a dig at the previous governments, Mr. Modi said his first priority as a government was to make the country corruption-free, citizen-centric and development friendly.

He said:

“Our government, has been making India ready according to the needs and expectations of the 21st century.

“We have gone a step ahead of ‘Ease of Doing Business.’ Our focus is ‘Ease of Living.’ Our processes are transparent and sensitive.

“We have to make a ‘New India’. We have to start working to realise the dream of New India by 2022, when India will celebrate 75 years of her independence.”

In the last two-and-a-half years, more than 9,000 start-ups have been registered in India, he said. The world’s second largest start-up ecosystem was built in India, he pointed out.

“And my friends living in Indonesia, these are happening, laws are the same, officers are the same, offices are the same, tables and chairs are the same, only the government has changed and the country is changing,” he said.

“If the policy is clear and intension pure, then development has to happen which we have shown,” he asserted.