Current Events Current Affairs Analysis
India has suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals following thePahalgam terror attackthat killed 26 people.
AboutSAARC Visa Exemption Scheme(SVES):
What It Is?
Aregional travel facilitation mechanismallowing select individuals from SAARC nations to travel visa-free across member countries using aSAARC Visa Exemption Sticker.
Signed In:
Proposed at the4thSAARC Summitin Islamabad (1988). It was officially launched in1992.
Objective:To fosterpeople-to-people contact,regional cooperation, anddiplomatic easeamong the eightSAARCcountries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan.
Key Features:
Eligible Categories:Covers24 specific categoriessuch as dignitaries, judges, MPs, senior officials, journalists, sports persons, business leaders, etc.
Visa Exemption Sticker:Issued annually by thehome country’s government. Affixed to the passport forvisa-free, multiple entriesto other SAARC countries.
Validity & Duration:Typically,valid for 1 yearfrom the date of issue and permits multiple entries and exits within the validity period.
Purpose of Travel:
Ø Travel permitted forofficial duties, business, cultural exchange, journalism, andregional cooperation events.
Ø Doesnot extend to tourism or casual travel.
India-Specific Provisions:
oCitizens ofNepal and Bhutandon’t need a visa to enter India.
oPakistani nationalswere earlier eligible under restricted categories and city-specific conditions (10–15 designated cities).
oPost-2015, special provisions existed forverified Pakistani businesspersonsfor up to 3 years.
Security Oversight:
oSAARC nations reserve the right todeny entryon national security grounds.
oSVES isnot a blanket waiverand is subject to scrutiny by immigration authorities at ports of entry.
Suspension Clause:
oThe scheme is based onbilateral and multilateral trust, not a binding international treaty.
oMember countries maysuspend or revoke access unilaterallyin the interest of national security or public order.
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