BEIJING: Delhi announced on Friday significant relaxations in visa rules for Chinese citizens, timing it to coincide with Chinese President Xi Jinping ’s India visit for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi .The decision to offer multiple-entry five-year visas — a much longer duration than offered till now — meets a long-standing demand from China and takes care of at least one of the issues that may be raised during talks between the two leaders. A five-year, multiple-entry e-TV will cost $80.An Indian embassy press release said the government had decided to further liberalise its e-visa policy for Chinese nationals from the perspectives of duration and fees.At present, e-visas are granted for much shorter durations. Under existing rules, the validity of an e-visa (except e-conference visa) is 60 days from the date of arrival in India. In case of e-conference visas, the validity is 30 days from the date of arrival. Besides, most visas are single entry.There has been a relaxation in visa fees, too. A one-year, multiple entry e-TV will continue to be offered but at a reduced fee of $40. Tourists who wish to avail of single-entry, 30-day validity e-TVs will need to pay a reduced fee of $25. There is a very low-cost visa, just $10, for Chinese seeking a 30-day e-TV during the months of April, May and June.“It is anticipated that this unilateral liberalisation of e-TVs for Chinese nationals will further enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and encourage more Chinese tourists to choose India as a destination for tourism purposes,” the embassy said in a statement.