Gangtok: India is trying to get the 'approved destination status' (ADS) from China to facilitate flow of more tourists from the neighbouring country, a senior official of the tourism ministry has said.

"We are moving through diplomatic channels to get ADS from Beijing under which a list of Indian tour operators will be given to them for interaction", V K Duggal, director general of tourism told reporters on August 20.

This would facilitate the flow of more Chinese tourists to the country for Buddhist pilgrimage, he said replying to a question regarding New Delhi's tourism policy towards Beijing.

"India is very positive as far as its policy towards China is concerned. It has moved forward after Union Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan visited the neighbouring country and his counterpart reciprocated the gesture," Duggal said.

Duggal, who was here to attend the meeting of the Himalayan Tourism Advisory Board (HIMTAB) as its chairman, said India was pursuing its 'Look East' policy initiated by the tourism ministry after the September 11 WTC attack in the USA last year.

"There has been a global switch from long haul tourists (from Western countries) to short and medium haul ones from East and South East Asian nations," he said.

PTI