Read this if you go India or around !

[mriko]

This sucks big time, two months is way too long ! I hope to review their decision on shorten the out period. One month would be ok.

India visa move sparks protests
India has tightened rules for long-term tourist visas, barring visitors from returning within two months of leaving.

Under previous rules, tourists on long-term visas had to leave the country every 180 days. Many simply paid brief visits to neighbouring countries.

Some countries have protested against the new rules, with the US saying they are being applied inconsistently.

India's move follows the arrest in the US of a man charged in connection with the 2008 Mumbai (Bombay) attacks.

David Headley, a Pakistani American, is said to have travelled to India several times last year to help identify targets for the attacks, which left more than 170 people dead.

'Gaps'

India's new regulations effectively also make it much harder for people to use long-term tourists visas to work in the country.

The government has yet to formally announce or provide details of the new rules, but Home Minister P Chidambaram set out the case for tightening regulations on Tuesday.

"The gaps in the visa system have been exposed in a number of cases, the most notable among them being the case of David Headley. The compelling need to create a fool-proof system cannot be overstated," he said.

In a posting on its website, the US embassy in Delhi said the "new visa and registration regulations are being implemented inconsistently".

"Travellers have reported being denied re-entry after exiting India for business or family emergencies, or for tourist travel to nearby countries, even if their initial visit to India was for only a few days," the statement said.

"The US mission has received confirmation that foreign passports are now stamped on exit to indicate that the bearer cannot re-enter India within two months of exit unless special permission is obtained from an Indian embassy, consulate, or high commission abroad, regardless of the validity of visa or length of stay in India."

On Tuesday, visiting British Business Secretary Lord Mandelson raised the issue with Mr Chidambaram.

"I can understand the motive for the new visa arrangements but we have to be careful not to make, create general restrictions," Lord Mandelson was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.

"I think, for many tourists, a two-month gap is too big."

A spokeswoman at the British High Commission in Delhi said: "There is no real clarity over the details of the proposals or how they might be implemented. We understand that the Indian government is reconsidering its plans."
from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8427798.stm

Irie !

 

[Dkgrower]

WOw mirko i agree this sucks big time
¨
We must hope that alot off goverments, pepol, ect will protest and let all pray this will not happen.

2 months is way to much, india will loose money if they implement this visa change and it will not stop terrorists just make alot off troubel.

 

[ddrew]

I just watched a documentary on the Mumbai attacks, "Terror in Mumbai"
I was shocked by how big of cowards the Indian police force and security were, they had these guys out numbered twenty to one and cornered a couple times and they couldn't drop their rifles and take off running fast enough(Indian police), amazing, they have hours and hours of sec camera tapes they complied for the Documentary.
They have no control of there shit over there, and they can't hide fast enough when something starts.
Hell no, I would never go there now, I look like the poster boy for an american citizen, I'd be lucky to make it 3 feet from the plane before something happened to me.

 

[hom]

I just watched a documentary on the Mumbai attacks, "Terror in Mumbai"
I was shocked by how big of cowards the Indian police force and security were, they had these guys out numbered twenty to one and cornered a couple times and they couldn't drop their rifles and take off running fast enough(Indian police), amazing, they have hours and hours of sec camera tapes they complied for the Documentary.
They have no control of there shit over there, and they can't hide fast enough when something starts.
Hell no, I would never go there now, I look like the poster boy for an american citizen, I'd be lucky to make it 3 feet from the plane before something happened to me.

This situation is very worrying. To experience India properly would take alot longer than a few months. The attacks which took place were undeniably atrocious but to be under the illusion that as an American you wont make it 3 feet from the plane is tad ridiculous. India is a melting pot of many diverse cultures and all Ive heard back from mates and fellow travellers is always posotive. As long as you treat the people with respect and honesty your travels will be amazing. Now go book a flight to India and have the time of your life.Good times and happy crimbo to all...

 

[ddrew]

Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to go to India one day.
Watch that documentary to see what I meant, once the shooting started it was every man for themselves, for hours, police did nothing but hide, scary.

 

[Dkgrower]

I say dont worry be happy and go to india

what you see in TV is very different than real life you must know that, india is more safe fore turist than most european capitals or the USA fore that sake not alot off turist get in to troubel or worse get killed in india it is very rare

 

[eugenegreen]

I just watched a documentary on the Mumbai attacks, "Terror in Mumbai"
I was shocked by how big of cowards the Indian police force and security were, they had these guys out numbered twenty to one and cornered a couple times and they couldn't drop their rifles and take off running fast enough(Indian police), amazing, they have hours and hours of sec camera tapes they complied for the Documentary.
They have no control of there shit over there, and they can't hide fast enough when something starts.
Hell no, I would never go there now, I look like the poster boy for an american citizen, I'd be lucky to make it 3 feet from the plane before something happened to me.

Most (and I stress most) of India is safe. In fact it's safer than the hoods in NY, Chicago, LA, or any major city in the US! As a poster boy you'd probably get jacked quicker here than you would in India...

p.s. I saw the documentary too, narrated by Fareed Zakaria... Truth be told, the police in India are not well trained... Most of them don't even have guns... They had to bring in special forces to finally quell the situation...

 

[mriko]

I saw the documentary too, narrated by Fareed Zakaria... Truth be told, the police in India are not well trained... Most of them don't even have guns... They had to bring in special forces to finally quell the situation...

Yeah, one definitely can't reproach them to run & hide. You just don't face AK-47s & hand grenades with wood sticks !
Some died in their duty. Thinking especially about 2 highest ranking officers of some anti-terrorist unit who were send to some attacked site very soon in the event and eventually got killed in the action. Those two guys were investigating past blasts that were perpetrated by some hardcore Hindu group, but officially blamed on some muslim terrorists. Them investigators were very close to expose the whole truth to the public , but their death simly put an end to the investigation so that thing could keep going on the way they're supposed to.

Hell no, I would never go there now, I look like the poster boy for an american citizen, I'd be lucky to make it 3 feet from the plane before something happened to me.

My my my, shut down tv and keep away from news, it seriously blurries your mind !

worse get killed in india it is very rare

hmmm, not that rare actually. 2008 was especially bad in terms of foreign deaths. Goa especially is involved, although most deaths are about people drowning. Murder happen from time to time, one or twice per year. Actually risks of being murdered are higher in India than in Pakistan.

I just can't wait to be back there again...

Irie !

 

[azad]

Yep thats a bad rap for regular travellers to india,hopefull they'll relax the regulations soon..
I visit pak occupied kashmir every few years and always have a trouble free stay.its a trouble free state,till i land and terrorise the local hash dealers lol.

Its a strange truth but all european and u.s media and press,paint the wrong picture of the sub continent and its folk,has so to fuel the war on terror..

 

[ddrew]

Yeah, one definitely can't reproach them to run & hide. You just don't face AK-47s & hand grenades with wood sticks !
!

20 guys with rifles against 2 guys with ak's and grenades, not quite the "wood stick" scenario your describing.
Took off running, didn't even try, 20 vs 2, damn, thanks for the help India police.
Watch the Documentary.
So yes, if I was a tourist getting shot at by 2 kids and I see 20 cops who are supposed to be helping running away I would most definatly say they should be reproached at the very least.