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Journalism of Courage
The visa restrictions on foreign nationals travelling to or through India implemented late last year were shortsighted and lazy. And the diplomatic outcry was a testament to the thoughtlessness of such hasty,unidirectional,statist reactions. Under mounting complaints,the government,as reported in this newspaper on Wednesday,is considering alternatives to the infamous two-month moratorium on the re-entry of multiple-entry tourist visa holders. But it appears to be exiting one blind alley only to enter the next one. The trip-based system under consideration may allow a multi-entry tourist three trips within the period of her visas validity.
For certain,this does away with the two-month cooling-off that has already harassed many not merely regular tourists but also corporate- and policy-types,writers and academics. None of this has helped a growth-ambitious Indias image abroad. But capping the number of trips changes very little on the ground. Its still inadequate,and having to apply for a fresh visa after exhausting the three-trip quota would defeat the very purpose of a multi-entry visa.
Thus automatic,misdirected and non-discriminating measures solve nothing. There should instead be investment of thought,resources and labour in discretionary entry-point stopping and post-entry surveillance. Since present documentation is immensely scientific and detailed,and since India is set to upgrade its screening systems,that will be a more practicable and effective solution. Visas are not a magic portal that,if barred,will stop danger from surprising us ever again.
