Tharoor tweets again, debates new visa rules

New Delhi, Dec 28: The tweets of Minister of state for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor have yet again hit the headlines as the minister has taken the debate on India's new visa rules to the micro blogging site.

"Dilemma of our age: tough visa restrictions in hope of better security or openness & liberality to encourage tourism & goodwill? I prefer latter," Tharoor posted on Twitter over the weekend.

The minister, who is found debating the tighter restrictions against the backdrop of foreign terrorists such as David Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana gaining easy entry into the country, noted that 'the 26/11 killers had no visas'.

Tharoor was referring to the directive passed by the Home Ministry on Nov 4 making it mandatory for foreign nationals having a long-term multi-entry Indian tourist visa to have two-month gap between two visits.

This new regulation was not received well by countries like US and UK.

"Is all that worth it just in the hope of making it difficult for a future (David Coleman) Headley to recce? Are we going two allow terrorists to make us less welcoming?," the minister wondered.

These opinions are being seen in the negative light as they contradict the government's stand.

In the past, Tharoor sparked off controversy over his 'cattle class' remark while referring to the government's austerity drive.

OneIndia News