10-Year Us Visa Under Consideration For Indians

India and the US are exploring the possibilities of issuance of visas with a validity period of 10 years in order to promote mutual trade and tourism, minister of state for external affairs Kamala Sinha told Rajya Sabha yesterday.

In a written reply, she said the matter was under active consideration of the government.

Prime Minister I K Gujral said, in a written reply, said the US commerce department has notified Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and Indian Rare Earths Ltd under US domestic legislation, pertaining to US non-proliferation concern. All imports from the US by these organisations will be under licence procedures.

Gujral said that the government had taken up this matter with the US authorities. Indias opposition to such ad hoc discriminatory export control regimes had been reiterated to the US government, he said.

Minister of state for external affairs Salim Shervani said the government remains committed to take steps to safeguard Indias security and national interests against all eventualities.

In a written reply, he said the governments decision to open chemical weapons stock for inspection is in keeping with its commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).