MHA has rejected the proposal of external affairs to grant visa-on-arrival facility
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. (Photo: PTI/File)
New Delhi: In a major policy shift, the Union home ministry has decided to scrap any move to give visa-free entry for Bangladesh nationals. The MHA has red-flagged the proposal of the ministry of external affairs to grant visa-on-arrival facility to Bangladeshi nationals and visa- free entry to citizens of that country under the age of 18 and over the age of 65.
Incidentally, it was former home minister Sushilkumar Shinde who had backed the liberalised visa accord with Bangladesh. However, the home ministry, under Rajnath Singh, has rejected the twin proposals sent by the ministry of external affairs ahead of foreign minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Bangladesh between June 25 and 27. The home ministry has cited security concerns to block the move for a visa-free entry.
“We have outrightly rejected the two proposals. We have already communicated to the MEA our strong objection to the proposals,” a MHA official said.
However, the ministry has said that such Bangladeshis, under the age of 18 and over the age of 65, can be given long-term tourist visas with the rider that they would have to report to the FRRO’s every year during their stay.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had during the election campaign said that if the BJP comes to power, illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India will be deported.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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