Why Can't India Offer Free or E-Visa for All Countries?

India’s decision to not implement free visa, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival policies for all countries (except those considered inimical to it) is influenced by a combination of security concerns, economic considerations, and diplomatic relationships. While opening up visa access might boost tourism and economic growth, there are several factors India must carefully consider.

1. Security Concerns

India faces security risks, particularly with certain countries due to geopolitical tensions, terrorism concerns, and the possibility of people entering India with malicious intent. Countries that are considered inimical to India (those with adversarial or tense relationships with the country) might pose security risks for India, especially if there is a lack of proper screening.

• Terrorism and extremism: Nations with known links to terrorism or extremism could potentially use visa facilitation to send individuals into India who might cause harm to the country’s security.

• Illegal immigration: Countries that have significant migration pressures may increase the risk of illegal immigration, especially from regions where the legal frameworks for immigration are weak or easily bypassed.

2. Diplomatic and Geopolitical Considerations

India’s foreign policy and diplomatic relationships also play a role. Opening visa access to certain countries could have diplomatic repercussions if those countries have not reciprocated with favorable policies. For example:

• Reciprocity: If a country does not allow Indian citizens easy visa access, India might not want to offer the same benefits in return.

• Diplomatic Tensions: Some countries might misuse the relaxed visa policies, creating diplomatic challenges for India if a large influx of individuals from certain regions leads to strains in international relations.

3. Economic and Tourism Considerations

While offering visa-on-arrival or eVisas could boost tourism and generate economic benefits, India also needs to balance these advantages with the following considerations:

• Infrastructure and resources: Managing large numbers of tourists can put pressure on India’s infrastructure, immigration processing, and public services. India must ensure it can handle a surge in visitors without compromising the quality of services for tourists or citizens.

• Tourism revenue: While tourism could increase with easier visa access, there’s also a need to ensure that the tourism sector is prepared to accommodate visitors, including hotels, transportation, and cultural sites.

• Economic benefits: Tourism is a significant contributor to India’s economy, but there are costs involved in providing visas (processing, security checks, etc.). The economic returns must outweigh the costs.

4. Controlling Migration and Preventing Abuse

India’s current visa system is designed to monitor and regulate immigration effectively. Some countries may have less stringent vetting processes, which could lead to visa misuse or abuse (e.g., individuals overstaying or working illegally). India must strike a balance between encouraging tourism and ensuring that visa systems do not become loopholes for abuse.

5. Gradual Approach to Visa Liberalization

India has made strides towards easing visa restrictions in recent years, with initiatives such as the eVisa for several countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Australia. This policy allows easier access for tourists while maintaining proper control and security. Implementing universal free or visa-on-arrival access for all countries would be a major shift and requires careful gradual implementation to evaluate risks and benefits.

6. Visa on Arrival & eVisa Expansion

India has already expanded visa-on-arrival and eVisa facilities for a growing number of countries. This has already helped boost tourism, business exchanges, and cultural exchanges. The Indian eVisa program is available for citizens from over 160 countries, and it is gradually expanding. This demonstrates that India is open to liberalizing visa access, but it does so selectively, considering security, diplomatic, and economic factors.

Conclusion:

While relaxed visa policies like free visas, eVisas, and visas-on-arrival for all countries (except adversarial ones) could potentially boost tourism and contribute to economic growth, India must carefully weigh the security risks, diplomatic considerations, and infrastructure capacity. A gradual approach that expands visa access in a controlled manner seems more practical and sustainable for India, balancing the benefits with the need for security and careful regulation of immigration.