The Hindu : `No prior permission needed'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 11, 2002

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`No prior permission needed'

By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI MAY 10. With the visit of three U.S. consulate officials to a state-run `madrasa' in Kolkata kicking up a controversy, the rights and restrictions on foreigners, including diplomats in India has come into sharp focus.

Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs, however, clarified, that diplomats needed to route their request for meeting high dignitaries, holding public office through the Ministry of External Affairs.

But no prior permission from the Ministry was required for diplomats wishing to visit a religious or a quasi-religious establishment such as a mosque, madrasa, or a church.

Government sources, pointing to general restrictions on foreigners, governed by the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and related legislation and orders, say that tourists are usually issued visas for a maximum of 90 days.

Visitors who wish to extend their stay must then apply to a Foreigners Regional Registration Office .

Tourists are not allowed to stay beyond six months.

Foreigners, however, have to obtain special permits, to visit some of the designated border areas of the country.

They would require permits for visiting States bordering China or Pakistan.

These include Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, , Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

But permits are no longer required for foreigners visiting Darjeeling, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura.

Permits are required for visiting parts of Kulu district and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, certain areas of Uttar Pradesh, the stretch west of National Highway 5 running from Ganganagar to Sanchar in Rajasthan, the Andaman and Nicobar islands and Lakshwadeep.

Pakistani nationals have to report within 24 hours of their date of arrival to the nearest police station or to the District Foreigners Registration Officer.

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