The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has expressed its sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration for addressing and streamlining the entry process for tourists from Taiwan visiting Sikkim through the Rango Check Post.
Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, highlighted the challenges faced by Taiwanese nationals when attempting to enter Sikkim. The Sikkim Permit, issued by the India-Taipei Association in Taipei, was not being accepted by the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) at the Rango Checkpost. Officials at the FRO insisted that the permit must be issued by the Indian Embassy, stating that the India-Taipei Association is only an association.
According to the FRO in Rangpo (Sikkim Border), individuals with Republic of China or Peoples Republic of China passports needed clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs or Ministry of External Affairs to enter Sikkim.
Upon learning about these issues from its members, IATO took the matter up with the Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, Government of India. IATO emphasised that the Sikkim Permit issued by the India-Taipei Association, who has been the Visa Issuing Authorities for many years, had never been problematic in the past.
The association requested suitable directives to be issued to the officials at the Rangpo outpost, ensuring the acceptance of the Inner Line Permit issued by the India-Taipei Association to prevent any inconvenience to Taiwanese tourists entering Sikkim.
More than 7.2 million foreign tourists arrived in India this year till October, the government said on Monday. Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha. He was also asked if the government is developing some tourist destinations for the promotion of tourism and attracting foreign tourists.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration responded positively to IATO’s request. The Inner Line Permits issued by the India-Taipei Association are now being accepted at the Rangpo Checkpost, allowing tourists from Taiwan to enter Sikkim without any hindrance.Mehra conveyed his appreciation, stating, “We would like to thank the Ministry of Home Affairs and Bureau of Immigration, Govt. of India for considering IATO’s request favorably as Inner Line Permits issued by the India-Taipei Association are being accepted at Rangpo Check-post and tourists from Taiwan are being allowed to enter Sikkim.”
