Visa Free Travel Between Brics Countries

[Chahal]

There is a proposal under consideration for visa free travel for youth from all BRICS countries. BRICS countries head of states met at a Russian city Ufa where this was discussed.

BRICS as many of you may already know stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

I highly doubt that South Africa would agree to this although I don't see any objections coming from China, Russia and Brazil. South Africa's per capita income is a lot higher then some other the other BRICS countries and they might have illegal migration angle attached to this.

I see a lot of Russian tourists flooding Indian beaches if this goes through and may be a lot of Chinese too if the government there wishes that way.

Once this Visa free travel program materializes for younger people there are plans to push for this visa free travel for all other age groups too.

What are your views about this?

 

[JRathore]

You've presented an interesting proposal about visa-free travel for youth from BRICS countries. Here's a breakdown of the potential benefits and drawbacks, along with some additional factors to consider:

Potential Benefits:

• Increased Tourism: As you mentioned, visa-free travel could lead to a surge in tourism, particularly from Russia, China, and Brazil to India and South Africa. This could benefit the hospitality industry, restaurants, and local businesses in these countries.
• Cultural Exchange: Easier travel could foster cultural exchange between BRICS nations. Young people could experience different cultures, languages, and traditions, promoting understanding and global citizenship.
• Business Opportunities: Visa-free travel could make it easier for young entrepreneurs and professionals to network and explore business opportunities across BRICS countries.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Security Concerns: South Africa's concern about illegal immigration is valid. Visa-free travel would require robust security measures to prevent misuse of the program.
• Uneven Benefits: As you pointed out, South Africa has a higher per capita income than some other BRICS countries. Visa-free travel might lead to a one-sided flow of tourism, with more people traveling from wealthier to less wealthy countries.
• Infrastructure Strain: A sudden increase in tourism could put a strain on infrastructure, especially in popular tourist destinations.
• Social Issues: Cultural differences and language barriers could lead to misunderstandings and social issues. Careful planning and communication would be necessary to minimize these risks.

Additional Considerations:

• Gradual Implementation: Perhaps a phased approach could be considered, starting with visa-free travel for specific age groups or durations, before opening it up to all ages.
• Visa on Arrival: An alternative could be a visa-on-arrival system for BRICS citizens, simplifying the process while maintaining some control.
• Regional Cooperation: BRICS countries could collaborate on regional security initiatives and cultural exchange programs to address potential drawbacks.

My View:

The idea of visa-free travel for BRICS youth has both potential benefits and drawbacks. Careful planning and collaboration would be needed to address concerns about security, infrastructure strain, and social issues. A phased approach, along with regional cooperation, could help ensure that the program is beneficial for all BRICS nations.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to implement this proposal rests with the BRICS heads of state. Open discussion and a thorough analysis of the potential impacts would be crucial before moving forward.