By SUNIL Sonkar
NEW DELHI, India: The 60-day cooling-off period for tourists in visa rules have been “slightly” relaxed said Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday.
In a press conference Chidambaram said that any foreigner who uses India as a base for going to neighbouring countries can now avail three re-entries within 60 days if he is having sufficient itinerary.
Home minister insisted that an overwhelming majority of tourists with this new visa policy would not be affected.
Chidambaram also assured to a question that on the visa issue the Ministry of External Affairs and his ministry are on the same page.
The comment of Home Minister assumes significance because Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor earlier had tweeted questioning about the tightening of visa rules, contending that India may become “less welcoming” destination for tourists.
However, Shashi Tharoor has faced flak for tweeting such thing with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna asserting that he is the boss of the ministry and Krishna also made clear to Tharoor that he has to toe the policies decided by him.
