India to grant tourist visas from October 15

India will grant fresh tourist visas to foreigners who enter the country via chartered flights from October 15, one and a half years after the country suspended issuing visas in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those wanting to visit India on scheduled commercial flights will have to wait till November 15, the Indian government said Thursday.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to begin granting fresh tourist visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15. Foreign tourists entering India by flights other than chartered aircraft will be able to do so from November 15 on fresh tourist visas," it said.

Stakeholders from the tourism industry had underscored the need for issuing tourist visas to foreign travellers, the ministry said.It consulted all major stakeholders like the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Tourism and state governments where foreign tourists are expected to arrive.

The decision was taken based on recommendations from state governments as well as stakeholders from the tourism industry, the Indian government added.

However, the ministry asked foreign tourists, air carriers and other stakeholders to ensure that all Covid-19 preventative measures are followed strictly.