Entry To India BRITONS MAY NEED VISAS

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32349, 15 July 1970, Page 17

Entry To India BRITONS MAY NEED VISAS

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) NEW DELHI, July 14. Britons intending to visit India face the prospect of acquiring visas or entry permits after an Indian Government decision to retaliate against British immigration controls and alleged harassment of Indian travellers.

Informed sources said that a decision to impose reciprocal restrictions on Britons coming to India was taken last night by the Cabinet’s internal affairs committee, presided over by the Prime Minister (Mrs Indira Gandhi). Pressure for such action has been building up for months amid growing resentment at British restrictions on the entry of Commonwealth immigrants and reports of harassment of Indians by British immigration officials. At present, Britons only need have a passport to get into India and can stay as long as they like. But under the newly-de-cided restrictions expected to be announced today—they are likely to need visas and possibly work permits and may also have to register at the Aliens Office like Americans and other non-Commonwealth citizens. The move comes amid charges from Indian ministers that Britain is following a policy of racialism in its immigration policies. Many members of Parliament have demanded India's

exit from the Commonwealth, whose citizens traditionally enjoy visa-free travel to other Commonwealth countries.

Indians say Britain has already ended this facility with its Commonwealth immigration controls. One possible reason for the Indian move might be reports last week that Britain had asked European Governments to keep a watch for Indians trying to enter Britain illegally. Indian officials were understood to be concerned this might affect the reciprocal agreement with Bonn under which West Germans do not need visas to enter India.

Only a few days ago, 34 of a group of Indians found hiding in a cellar in the northern English town of Bradford were deported. They got into Britain by way of West Germany. British officials declined to comment on the Indian decision and it was not immediately known how the proposed restrictions would affect the 13,000 British citizens now living in India.