India Gate in central Delhi.

India is planning to tighten the country’s visa rules after the recent arrest of a Chicago businessman who allegedly had prior knowledge of the Bombay terror attacks.

India’s Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said yesterday that there were gaps in the visa system, which were exposed in the case of Pakistan-born David Coleman Headley, accused of making five scouting trips to Bombay for militant Pakistani groups, Reuters reports.

A draft for new rules “for facilitating legitimate travellers and strengthening security” is likely to be ready early in 2010. Among the new rules is a proposal restricting travellers on long-term tourist visas from entering India within two months of their last departure from India, which has led to a storm of protests.

The plan would be a blow for many tourists who use India as a hub to visit other countries in the region, as well as for some businessmen who use long-term tourist visas for regular trips to India to avoid red tape and paperwork delays.

Similar Posts:

• Foreigners entering UK under controversial student visa system treble in 10 years
• Citizens of Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro get visa free travel to Schengen states
• The massacre in India
• Munich and Bombay – just different day
• Government bow to EU, undermining electronic borders scheme

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...