India and China have decided to hold exchange programs for delegations of writers, archaeologists, anthropologists, media men and youth, Indian Culture and Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said in New Delhi on Wednesday.

 

As part of cultural exchange, India will celebrate Chinese festivals and China will celebrate India's.

 

The minister said that the two nations will hold interactive work in every field so that the people of two nations get to know each other's culture and lifestyle better.

 

Soni said that according to the World Tourism Council, most tourists travel abroad from India and China.

 

As part of building cultural relations, she said India will try that by the year 2020, India gets most tourists from China.

 

Responding to a query from media on time taken by Indian government to grant visas, Soni said most governments have certain norms under which they grant visas. She acknowledged that visas should be given faster and more easily.

 

She said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had given directions to Indian embassies to give visas in 48 hours and outsource work in peak hours. Responding to another question, she said the Indian Government was not officially attached to "new seven wonders of the world" campaign since it had been initiated by a private firm.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2007)