Distancing himself from Shashi Tharoor’s criticism on Twitter of the new visa rules for foreigners, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said South Block had “gone along” with the Ministry of Home in visa and other matters and the “business of government is much too serious” to be tweeted about.
He was speaking to journalists on Monday about his junior minister’s tweets questioning the logic of tightening visa restrictions.
Security, Mr. Tharoor had said, must not become an excuse for changing India for the worse. Under new rules, foreign tourists will not be allowed to re-enter India for two months after they leave unless they show an appropriate itinerary and supporting documents.
“Is all that worth it just in the hope of making it difficult for a future Headley to recce? R we going 2allow terrorists 2make us less welcoming?’ Mr. Tharoor tweeted on Sunday.
Asked for his views, Mr. Krishna did not mince words. “These [questions] are not to be discussed publicly. If there are any perceptions, I think they should be sorted out within the four walls of the Ministry.” The “business of government is far too serious,” he said and “has to be conducted in a manner in which we decide.”
