The Hong Kong government has reportedly dropped plans to scrap visa-free entry for Indians after representations from Indian officials and businessmen said such a move could seriously jeopardise businesses and tourism.

Recent media reports quoting public security officials in Hong Kong said that the former British colony was considering to scrap the programme for Indians in an effort to curb the number of asylum seekers.

However, Indian diplomats and prominent businessmen based in Hong Kong told PTI that the local government has dropped the proposal after representations at the highest level stating that such a move could seriously jeopardise the trade, business and tourism flows from India.

A report in the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post recently said the proposal to scrap the visa-free facility for Indians was mooted by members of the Liberal Party to curb the asylum seekers from India which registered sharp increase in recent months.