New Delhi
31 December 2009
Union Minister of State of External Affairs Shashi Tharoor was back on Twitter
on Thursday, the day after his senior colleague SM Krishna publicly censured him for
airing his comments against the new visa rules.
Describing his meeting with Mr Krishna here Wednesday as "excellent", Tharoor spoke
about how he got back to work after a year-end holiday.
"Sorry abt(about) silence ydy (yesterday).1stday (first day) back, full schedule. Excellent
mtg (meeting) w (with) EAM Krishna on wide range of fp (foreign policy) issues.
"Saw visiting colgs (colleagues) fm (from) Missions abrd (abroad)," he said in his latest
tweet.
On Wednesday, Mr Krishna had told reporters that "everyone will have to fall on the
same page."
"The broad policy parameters are dictated, decided by the Minister in-charge of External
Affairs of this country and everyone will have to fall on the same page," Mr Krishna said.
Tharoor was in the news for airing on social networking site Twitter his opposition to the
new visa rules that were implemented after terror suspects in US custody were found to
have visited India on a valid long-term visa for allegedly surveying locations before the
26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
"26/11 killers had no visas", Tharoor had posted, and wondered if the new rules will
make India a less welcoming destinations for tourists.
Meanwhile, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday said that the visa rules
regarding the 60-day cooling-off period for tourists have been relaxed "slightly". He said
that a foreigner who uses India as a base to go to neighbouring countries will be allowed
three re-entries within 60 days if he has the sufficient itinerary. "We have relaxed the
guidelines by allowing three return visits," he said.
Mr Chidambaram maintained that an overwhelming majority of tourists visiting India
would not be affected by the new visa policy. He denied differences between the the
Ministry of External Affairs and his Ministry on the new visa rules.
"We are not only on the same page, but also singing from the same song," said Mr
Chidambaram. "There is absolutely no difference. I have talked to (External Affairs
Minister) SM Krishna," he said.
The home ministry had introduced new visa guidelines on November 4 that envisage a
mandatory two-month cooling off period between two visits to India by a foreigner
holding a long-term tourist visa.
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