New Delhi: The visa issues of Bangladeshi immigrants had been flagged by the MEA in its tentative agenda of discussions during the foreign minister’s visit to that country. The MEA had sent the proposals to the MHA and state governments for their opinion.
Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had during his election campaign said that if the BJP comes to power, all illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India will be deported.
“We have outrightly rejected the two proposals. We have already communicated to the MEA our strong objection to the proposals,” a MHA official said. Notably, Assam CM Tarun Gogoi had strongly opposed the move to give visa-free entry to Banglad-eshi nationals on the gro-und that illegal migration from Bangladesh was a very sensitive issue for Assam and the other north-eastern states.
Mr Gogoi’s reaction came after the MEA sought the opinion of Assam government, among other stakeholders, on the two issues.
Union home ministry, sources said that it has told the MEA that its third proposal to give long-term multiple entry tourist visa for Bangladeshis under the age of 18 years and over the age of 65 years can be agreed upon with certain conditions. “This proposal can be considered subject to certain conditions, incl-uding appearance of the visa-holder before the Foreigner Regional Regist-ration Office every year,” a MHA official said.
During the visit, Ms Swaraj is likely to meet top leaders, including President Abdul Hamid and PM Sheikh Hasina.
