Following the Philippines’ decision to allow Indian nationals to enter the country without a visa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Tuesday that India would reciprocate by providing free e-visas to Filipino tourists. PM Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, who is presently on a five-day state visit to the nation, made the news at a joint press statement. Both leaders decided to further improve connectedness and people-to-people relationships throughout the occasion.
“We applaud the Philippines’ decision to allow Indian visitors entry without a visa. In response, India has made the decision to allow Filipino tourists to obtain free e-visas. Within this year, efforts will also be made to start direct flights between Manila and Delhi, according to PM Modi.
In a similar vein, President Marcos thanked India for the reciprocal gesture and emphasised the Philippines’ new visa-free policy for Indian nationals. “I invited more Indian tourists to travel to the Philippines and reaffirmed our introduction of visa-free entrance privileges. In response, I want to thank Prime Minister Modi for launching a programme that will provide free visas to Filipino visitors to India. We have reaffirmed our commitment to maintaining and growing such direct air connectivity, and we welcome the return of direct flights starting in October of this year,” Marcos Jr said.
A major step towards improving regional connectivity between India and the Philippines was later taken when the Ministry of External Affairs approved direct flights from Delhi to Manila, which are anticipated to start operations on October 1 of this year. The MEA stated at a special press briefing on the occasion of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s state visit to India that the two nations are looking into the possibility of soon extending air connections to more locations in order to significantly boost travel, trade, and interpersonal interactions between them.
“Hopefully, direct Air India flights from Delhi to Manila will begin operating on October 1st to the Philippines. There will be further talks about expansion strategies and destinations,” the MEA said.
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