Pak-born US nationals' visas to be cleared by New Delhi now

India has tightened visa approval norms for Pakistan-born American citizens, whose applications will now have to be cleared by New Delhi, in the wake of the FBI foiling an LeT plot to use Chicago resident David Coleman Headley to target Indian facilities.

Union home secretary GK Pillai recently issued instructions under which all applications for Indian visa from Pakistani-born US nationals would now be processed and cleared by New Delhi instead of its missions in America.

The measure has been taken in view of the unearthing of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) plot, in which the Pakistan-based terror group was planning to use Pakistan-born Headley, 49, to launch major terror attacks in India.

FBI investigations have revealed that the National Defence College in Delhi and premier Doon school in Dehra Dun and Woodstock in Mussoorie were among the LeT targets.

American citizens have been having easy access to Indian visa because of the good relationship between the two countries. Besides, the Indian embassy in Washington, its consulates in New York, Houston, Chicago and San Francisco issue Indian visas.

All the Indian missions in the US have now been directed to adhere to the new instructions in this regard from New Delhi.

Around eight lakh Americans visit India every year.