Kathmandu, June 26
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs says Indian nationals cannot use their Aadhaar card to enter Nepal and Bhutan from India.
Both the countries share open border with India and do not require the Indian nationals to have visas for the visit.
“Aadhaar card is not an acceptable travel document for travel to Nepal/Bhutan,” a communique issued by the Ministry said.
The Aadhaar card, which has a 12-digit unique identification number and personal details like name and address, acts as a proof of identification and residence.
Indians can travel to Nepal and Bhutan if they possess a valid national passport or election ID card issued by the Election Commission, the Ministry says as stated in a PTI report.
Moreover, to ease travel, persons over 65 and below 15 years can show documents with photographs to confirm their age and identity. These include PAN card, driving licence, Central Government Health Service card and ration card, but not Aadhaar.
Nepal shares borders with five Indian states, namely: Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Around 600,000 Indians are living or domiciled in Nepal.
Bhutan shares borders with Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal. It has about 60,000 Indian nationals, employed mostly in the hydroelectric power and construction industry.
