Visa norms change will not hit tourism: State tourism minister

The changes made by India in visa norms for foreigners would not hit inbound tourism, the government said today.

Rejecting minister of state for external affairs minister Shashi Tharoor's view that the changes might affect foreign tourist arrival, minister of state for tourism Sultan Ahmed said the MEA directives for new visa norms are meant for multiple-entry visa seekers and it will not affect tourism.

"Because tourists always come here on a short visit, this will not affect their arrivals," he said.

Ahmed said, "If the MEA has done it, then it must have taken into account all factors, including safety and security of the country."

Under the new rules announced in the backdrop of the arrest of American terror suspect David Coleman Headley on the charge of plotting attacks in India, any foreign national holding long-term multiple entry visas will have to take a two-month break before re-entering India.

However, this was amended later with the government saying exception would be made for bona fide travellers if they submit itinerary details.

Making light of Tharoor's latest tweets on visa rule changes, Ahmed dismissed them as a "joke".

"Shashi Tharoor's tweeting has become a joke, and it should not be taken seriously," he said.

In his social networking website account, Tharoor had wondered whether tightening of visa norms for foreign nationals made any sense at all and if it would actually "protect" security.