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The Union government has taken off Iran from the list of countries under restricted visas. This move clearly indicates India’s intention to reach out Iran, the Persian Gulf nation.

Amidst wakeup calls of increasing influence and threats from Islamist terror groups like the Islamic State in Central Asia, India considers Iran as its prime supporter.

Liberalizing visa policy for Iran, India struck Iran off the referral category (PRC) of countries. Till now, three visa categories including conference, employment students and research, were in the restricted list. An order issued by the Union Home Ministry said that Iran was not any more on the PRC list. Countries like Pakistan, China and Bangladesh are under the PRC list.

A senior government official said, “The order means that Iranians can easily apply for visas at our consulate in Iran and each application will not have to be forwarded to [the] Intelligence Bureau and [the] Research and Analysis Wing here for verification.”
It is expected that Sushma Swaraj, external affairs minister, will visit Iran later in 2015.

The official said, “For the ease of doing business, we have liberalised the employment and conference visa. It will lead to large number of Iranians visiting India and help boost economy.”

-Sumana