India will soon introduce chip-based e-passport and simplified visa norms: PM Modi

• India will soon introduce chip-based e-passport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday while inaugurating an event.
  
• The Indian government is reportedly working to ease the visa process for its citizens — people of Indian origin and overseas citizens of India.
  
• In the last four years, India invested over ₹200,000 to help its citizens living abroad.

After rounds of rumours flooding social media platforms about the government claims of introducing smart passport, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) in his parliament residency on Tuesday, said that will soon replace its traditional paper passports with chip based e-passport.

Modi was speaking at a convention in Gujarat focussed on non-resident Indians. He reportedly said that the embassies and consulates are connecting with the passport seva project worldwide to introduce a centralised passport system.

Talking of prioritising ‘happiness and safety’ of its citizens, Modi said the government is also working to ease the visa issuing process for People of India-origin (PIO) and overseas citizens of India (OCI) that will save the time spent in the process.

He also urged Indians abroad to support the growth of their country by contributing in the field of innovation and research.

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