PM's announcement on visa policies draws mixed reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on new visa policies during his speech to Indian-Americans at New York's Madison Square Garden on Sunday drew mixed reactions from politicians back home.

While some felt that with this move, more Indian expatriates will come to the country, other said it could pose a security threat.

Prime Minister Modi announced lifelong visas for Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders and visa on arrival for American tourists while addressing a crowd of 18,000 people at the iconic venue.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Indian expatriates would be thronging to the country to do something constructive for their motherland.

"The way the NRIs were cheering Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech, the kind of reception that we saw in America for the Indian Prime Minister and the kind of visa issues that were brought into the notice at the end of the speech shows that NRIs would be thronging to India and see to it that they do something constructive for their motherland," said Patra.

However, Congress party leader Rajiv Shukla welcomed the new visa announcements, but said there could be a security threat as someone from a militancy-affected country could misuse such rules.

"I feel with regard to the security concerns that are there about the proposed visa rules, precautions should be taken. Only after discussing them with the security agencies should all the activities be done. Advantages of proposed new visa rules should not be taken by such a country which is involved in militancy-related activities," said Shukla.

Prime Minister Modi's speech at Madison Square Garden was watched not just by the Indians in America but also by the people in India who sat glued to their television sets.

Thousands of people gathered at the world's most-famous arena to watch Modi deliver his speech from a rotating stage.

Prime Minister Modi is currently on a five-day visit to the United States which started on September 26.