ISAS Briefs

Since 1991, following the currency crisis and subsequent liberalisation, India has involved itself with what has been deemed the ‘Look East’ policy. In ‘looking East’, towards Southeast Asia, India has sought to forge a greater and deeper economic and political relationship with the region. As economic ties have deepened, the Indian government has made further moves to increase tourist inflows from the region by introducing the tourist visa on arrival (TVOA) scheme in 2010. Although on a limited (but incremental) basis the extension of the TVOA to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is quite significant in the perspective of India’s mounting engagement with the region, both economically and politically. However, some roadblocks remain, which may well dilute the objective of the scheme.