India is reopening its borders to international visitors in a bid to revive economic growth. PM Narendra Modi is using a dip in new COVID-19 infections to open the economy from a strict lockdown, welcoming foreigners on business trips. However, tourists will not be allowed. While regular scheduled commercial flights remain off limits for the time being, overseas travellers can use other options. These include flights under a government repatriation program, so-called air-bubble agreements, and private charters, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on October 22. Ships will also be permitted. All travellers must "strictly adhere" to the guidelines on quarantine and other rules. A government panel of scientists said this week the nation may have seen a peak in new infections and could contain the outbreak by February. But critics have attributed that decline to lower rates of testing as the disease spreads to the country's vast hinterland. All existing visas, except electronic, tourist and medical ones, will be restored immediately, the government said. Watch the video to know more.
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