Foreign tourists cannot engage in journalistic activities in India: Govt

NEW DELHI: Persons coming to India on tourist visas will henceforth not be allowed to get involved in coverage of events or other journalistic activities.

The Home Ministry said it had noticed that foreigners coming on tourist visa are involved in coverage of events/journalistic activities.

In this context, it is stated that Tourist Visa is not the appropriate visa for such activities by the foreigners. Tourist Visa is issued to foreigners who do not have residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc. No other activity is permissible on Tourist Visa.

The Ministry has requested External Affairs Ministry to convey this to Indian Missions/Posts abroad. All State Governments and concerned authorities in the country have also been requested to ensure strict compliance.