(Image source from: Hindustan Times)

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in his visit to Indonesia on Wednesday proclaimed a 30-day-free visa for Indonesian citizens and invited diaspora to travel to their origin country to experience the 'New India.'

Addressing an assemblage of Indian diaspora at Jakarta Convention Centre in Indonesia Modi said, "Not only do the names of our nations rhyme, but there is also a distinct rhythm in India-Indonesia friendship. We will grant free-of-cost visa for Indonesian citizens for travel of up to 30 days."

Taking a dig of the former regimes, Modi stated that his initial precedence as a government was to make the country corruption free, citizen-centric and development friendly.

“Many of you may never have been to India. I invite you all to come to India for the Kumbh Mela in Prayag next year. Our government, has been making India ready according to the need and expectations of the 21st century. We have gone a step ahead in ‘Ease of Doing Business.’ Our focus is ‘Ease of Living’. Our processes are transparent and sensitive," Modi said amid applause.

“We have to make a ‘New India’. We have to start working to realize the dream of New India by 2022, when India will celebrate 75 years of her independence,” Modi added.

In the last two-and-a-half years, more than 9,000 start-ups have been registered in India, he said, adding that the world’s second largest start-up ecosystem is built in India.

PM Modi, arriving for his first ever official visit in Indonesia on Tuesday night met President Joko Widoda at Merdeka Palace.

By Sowmya Sangam