India to give double-entry visa to Thais

India on Friday has offered the indigenous GAGAN satellite-based navigational services to Thailand besides a double-entry e-visa to Thai tourists for visiting Buddhist pilgrimage spots in India and Nepal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a double entry visa facility that would soon be put in place for tourists arriving in India with an e-visa so that they can visit Buddhist sites in both countries, says the joint statement issued after the summit meeting between Modi and his Thai counterpart Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Besides strengthening the cultural heritage between the two nations, India and Thailand ramped up bilateral cooperation in technology, military and security issues.

“India offered Thailand indigenously developed GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation or GAGAN services, which provides advanced navigation and location assistance and information facilities in the Aviation, Maritime and other domains. In this regard, India also expressed readiness to provide requisite technical expertise,” says the joint statement.

Developed at a cost of Rs 774 crore, Gagan provides augmentation service for GPS over India, Bay of Bengal, South East Asia and Middle East expanding up to Africa. It increases air safety and fuel efficiency, thus resulting in reduced cost for airlines.

The new system corrects distortion in GPS signals to the lowest precision point and provide very accurate information on the location of an aircraft. At present, Air Traffic Controllers leave more than 50 meters as a margin of error while assessing the aircraft movement from GPS signals.

Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation, GAGAN, reduces the margin of error to 3.5 metres, providing a superior navigation service.

Underlining the proximity of India and Thailand as maritime neighbours, Modi said the two nations agreed to forge a closer partnership in the fields of defence and maritime cooperation.

“Both sides expressed a keen interest in enhancing cooperation in maritime domain including anti-piracy cooperation, security of sea lanes of communication including coast guard cooperation to maintain peace and ensure safety and security of navigation in the Indian Ocean,” says the joint statement in a veiled reference to the South China Sea dispute.

The two countries agreed to enhance their cooperation in economy, counter terrorism, cyber security and human trafficking. The leaders said early conclusion of a balanced comprehensive economic and partnership agreement is a shared priority.