US visa rules must be more flexible-Indian Scientists
by Harleen Kaur - July 25, 2011
India, 25th July: US visa norms need to be made more flexible since the current US visa rules are inhibiting technological exchanges between India and the US, states Ashwani Kumar, Indian junior science minister.
US visa rules need changes--Speaking during a meeting held on 19th July in New Delhi with John Holdren, US presidential adviser during India-US Strategic Dialogue’s second annual session, Mr. Kumar maintained that as per the current US visa rules, Indian scientists, including top Indian advisors, have no other option but seek a fresh US visa annually for visiting the US.
This means that even top Indian scientists cannot get US multiple-entry visas allowing the individual to visit the US any time for a period of ten years.
And this is, undoubtedly, becoming a big obstacle for Indian scientists wanting to go to the US every year or after short intervals of time, he added.
Top Indian Scientist refused US multiple-entry visa—A former secretary to India’s Department of Science and Technology and Materials Scientist, Mr. P. Rama Rao, came in for a big surprise when he was issued one-year US visa while his wife was issued a multiple entry US visa allowing her to visit the US for ten years. Both of them had applied for multiple entry US visas at the same time.
Indians annoyed by unfriendly US visa rules--Mr. CNR Rao, current science advisor to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, said it’s quite disgusting and ridiculous to apply to US immigration department each year for getting permit to visit the US.
It’s sickening, added Mr. Rao, while referring the fact that he has been visiting the US each year since the year 1954. And the issue of seeking US visa each year is quite troubling for Indian students desirous of attending US conferences.
If the current US visa norms are not changed, it’s quite likely that a large number of Indian students will be left in a lurk due to long time involved in getting security clearance, Mr. Rao cautioned. He added that Indians are being roughed up by the US and the latter is giving no explanations for doing so.
»
- 1277 reads
