India

India is the world's largest democratic republic country located in South Asia. It is a country with a very diverse population, geography and climate. India has a coastline of over seven thousand kilometers and borders Pakistan to the west; Nepal, China and Bhutan to the north-east, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. With an estimated one billion people and over 400 languages and dialects placed India to the second most populous country, is also the 7th largest country by geographical area.

The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest in the world, is a centre of important trade routes and vast empires. Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism all have their origins in India, while Islam and Christianity enjoy a strong cultural heritage having arrived through trade even before foreign invasions. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.

India - incomparable, intoxicating and inviting. A bewildering array of sights and sounds tastes and textures, cultures & civilization, India is one of the most richly rewarding regions of the world to visit. A land whose wealth of great cities, palaces, temples, natural wonders and tropical beaches cannot fail to enchant and captivate the visitors.

Tourist facilities varying in degree of comfort and amenity are widely available in the major population centers and main tourist areas.

India Facts and Figures
Area 3,287,263 sq km (1,269,219 sq miles)
Capital New Delhi
Population 1,049,700,118 (July 2003 est.)
People & Religion Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% (2000)
Language 17 major languages, 844 dialects. The official language is Hindi. English is also often used for official or commercial purposes.

Location Southern Asia, lies between latitudes 8 ° 4' and 37 ° 6 ' north and longitudes 68 ° 7 ' and 97 ° 25' east
Coastline length 7,600 km

Government Democratic Republic since 1947

Visa

Tourist Visas can be obtained for 6 months, 1 year and 10 years and are issued only to those foreigners who have no residence or occupation in India. Tourist visas count from the date of issue and cannot be extended or converted into any other category in India. All visas other than transit visas are issued only after telex clearance is received from the Indian Mission in the country to which the applicant belongs. This process takes around 1 week after telexes are sent. Telex clearance charges are Nrs. 300/-.

References made to the authorities in India take at least 8 weeks for examination and clearance. Applicants are advised not to make repeated enquiries from this Mission during this period.

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu is the sole authority for dealing with all matters concerning issue of India visas to foreign nationals in Nepal. Applicants are required to furnish two passport size photographs to fill up the application form.