In a boost to the tourism
industry, India has relaxed its tourist visa rules by lifting restrictions imposed on foreign visitors to have a two-month cooling off period between subsequent visits.
However, citizens of Pakistan, China, Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sudan and people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin and stateless persons will continue to come under the 60-day gap rule.
The restriction was imposed in 2009 after the Mumbai terror attack when it was found that Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist
David Headley had grossly misused his multiple-entry visa with which he made nine trips to India and prepared footage of 26/11 targets for the Pakistan-based terror group.
The Home Ministry, however, made it clear that any applicant for an Indian visa who has any sort of Pakistan
lineage, even if it is two generations back, must be referred to Delhi by the Indian missions for prior clearance.
The move to review the visa restriction was initiated by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in January 2012 after
concerns were raised by the Tourism Ministry that the negative perception following the move had affected flow of tourists.
The PMO had asked the ministries of Home and External Affairs to review the restrictions, including the possibility
of bringing in more countries under the visa-on-arrival scheme and improving conditions at major airports