Intelligence agency recommended Taliban leader's visa

New Delhi, Nov 13: Visa to

leader Abdul Salam Zaeef was granted on recommendation of intelligence agencies, clarified Union government on Tuesday. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had no role to play, it said.

That Zaeef was granted visa to visit Goa to attend a conference had sparked a row. According to the rules, people from Pakistan, Afghanistan and China require background checks to get a visa to India.

However, home ministry sources said that the visit of the Taliban leader does not mean any change in visa policy. It was issues after requests by the intelligence agencies to MHA.

The issue was handled by senior officials of home ministry handling visa requests and intelligence officials. "It was not a government decision and was totally between intelligence agencies who wanted Zaeef to visit India," said a senior official, reported Indian Express.
Reportedly, Zaeef's visa was granted as intelligence agencies wanted to discuss the situations in Afghanistan with him. They sought to know the role India could play once the US troops pullout is completed next year.
Zaeef is said to be a confidant of Mullah Omar who headed the Taliban government in Afghanistan till 2001.

OneIndia News

(With agency inputs)