BLS International Wins MEA Contract for Visa Centres in China

23 Oct 2025 CW Team

BLS International Services Limited announced that it has secured a contract from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish and operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China. The contract, effective from 14 October 2025, will remain valid for a period of three years.

The development follows India’s decision in July 2025 to resume the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals — a move aimed at improving bilateral relations that had been strained since the Galwan Valley clashes. India had suspended tourist visas for Chinese citizens in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the restrictions continuing amid tensions along the eastern Ladakh border.

Under the new agreement, BLS International will establish and manage IVACs in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, providing comprehensive visa processing services. These centres will feature enhanced infrastructure, advanced technology, and multi-lingual staff to ensure a smooth and user-friendly experience for applicants.

“This is a significant milestone for BLS International. The IVACs will play a crucial role in delivering reliable, user-centric visa services,” said Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International Services Ltd.

The contract underscores BLS International’s growing footprint in global consular and visa service operations, strengthening India’s diplomatic outreach and service accessibility in China.

Infrastructure Energy

22 Dec 2025

Coal Ministry Simplifies Disposal of Washery Rejects

The Ministry of Coal has recently simplified the process for disposal of coal washery rejects to enhance ease of doing business and ensure faster utilisation, while maintaining environmental safeguards. The move aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and ongoing reform agenda in the coal sector. Under the existing policy issued on 27 May 2021, washery rejects were disposed of through a three-tier priority system. The first priority allows their use for energy extraction, in line with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, applicable to waste with calorific value above 1,500 kca..

India, Oman Sign CEPA to Boost Trade and Services Ties

India and Oman have recently signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a major milestone in India’s strategic engagement with the Gulf region. The agreement was signed in the presence of Narendra Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, by Piyush Goyal and Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef. The CEPA provides unprecedented market access for Indian goods, with Oman offering zero-duty access on 98.08 per cent of its tariff lines, covering 99.38 per cent of India’s exports by value. Major labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, enginee..

TTDF Backs 136 Telecom R&D Projects Worth Rs 5.42 Bn

The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme has recently approved 136 projects worth Rs 5.42 billion to strengthen indigenous telecom innovation across India, the government informed Parliament. The scheme focuses on bridging the digital divide by enabling development and manufacturing of advanced telecom technologies for rural and remote areas. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the TTDF Scheme, launched on 1 October 2022, supports IITs, NITs, MSMEs, start-ups and research institutions work..