"To optimise exchanges of people, business and ideas, it is important that both the UK and Indian governments discuss this promising proposal openly and collaboratively consider delivering it. The strength of the UK-India relationship today must also reflect in a stronger visa regime," said CII director-general Chandrajit Banerjee.At present Indian visitors continue to pay a hefty £330 for a two-year visa, or £87 for six-months. The report recommends that Indians must have the same opportunity . "We hope that the government will consider the very clear benefits of our recommendation, enhancing the already close affinity between two great Commonwealth nations," said Tim Hewish, director of policy and research at the Royal Commonwealth Society and author of the report. France has now over-taken the UK as India's most visited European nation, attracting 500,000 visitors from the subcontinent last year.In October 2015, British PM David Cameron had announced a pilot scheme for a two-year UK-China visitor visa costing £87.

Source: Times of India July 06, 2016 01:30 UTC