Govt must revamp functioning of consulates abroad: BJP

Against the backdrop of ill-treatment of two Indian traders in China and other similar incidents involving Indians abroad, BJP today demanded that the government revamp the functioning of its overseas department as well as Indian consulates across the world.

The party's "Overseas Friends of BJP" Cell, conducted a survey in five cities of the US and covered around 2,000 Indians living there. Based on the feedback the BJP concluded that there is a need to overhaul the Department of Overseas Indians and the consular offices.

The survey findings state that consular offices are too bureaucratic, lack basic amenities and have other shortcomings due to which there is "rancour and disappointment" among the Indians living abroad.

"BJP demands that there should be an immediate review. Also, the outsourcing of visa services to agencies which are handling visas of other countries as well is not safe and this too should be reviewed," party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

The party also suggested that local consultation groups should be established abroad by the Indian consulates to know the views of the Indian community.

Recalling the Tri-valley incident in the US in which scores of Indian students were radio tagged, Sitharaman said though the embassy and consulates are located there, their reaction came after a considerable timelag.