By IANS,
New Delhi : Home Minister P. Chidambaram Thursday rejected any rift between the home and external affairs ministries over the new visa guidelines, saying they “are not only on the same page, but also singing from the same song”.
“There is absolutely no difference. I have talked to (External Affairs Minister) S.M. Krishna,” Chidamabaram replied when asked whether there was any difference of opinion between the home and external affairs ministries over the new tourist visa guidelines.
“We are not only on the same page, but we are singing the same song,” Chidambaram said.
The home ministry introduced new visa guidelines Nov 4 that envisage a mandatory two-month cooling off period between two visits by a foreigner on a long-term tourist visa to India.
“We have relaxed the guidelines by allowing three return visits,” he said.
Under pressure from the British and US governments, the government partially relaxed guidelines by allowing foreigners holding tourist visas two or three return entries into India after going to another country, provided they submit a detailed itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings).
Chidambaram’s clarification comes amid speculation about differences of perception over the new visa rules not only between the home and external affairs ministries (MEA), but also within the MEA.
In a tweet posted on the social networking site Dec 26, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor appeared to question the rationale behind the new visa guidelines. The “26/11 killers had no visas” he said and asked whether these restrictions will actually strengthen security.
“The issue is not security vs (versus) tourism, but whether visa restrictions protect our security,” he had said.
In a bid to counter the impression of differences within the ministry over the visa issue, Krishna Wednesday advised Tharoor that “everyone will have to fall on the same page” once the policy is formulated.
Krishna said that although there could be different perceptions, there is also a method and procedure to “sort out” the issues, and stressed that he was sure his deputy minister “understands” that.
“If there are any perceptions, they should be sorted out within the four walls of the two ministries,” he said.