India is now considering a 14-day visa-free single entry for Malaysians, said Human Resource Minister M Kulasegaran today.

He said the matter was raised with India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during his visit to New Delhi last week.

Kulasegaran in a statement said the Indian minister had agreed to consider the request and would let Malaysia know "as soon as they make a decision on the matter".

"I made the case with the Indian visa fee hike in July, many Malaysians especially low-income earners found it difficult to bear the cost and could not visit India as a result. They often visit India for historical temples and religious reasons,” he said in a statement.

The new visa fee was implemented on July 1. The price of India's eVisa increased from RM200 to RM320, and is valid for four months. Over-the-counter visas are now priced at RM462.56 (excluding service charges) and are valid for one year.

-- Bernama