MEA Briefing: India Responds to New US Visa Guidelines Requiring Social Media Details

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Ministry of External Affairs has taken note of the new guidelines issued by the US Embassy. The new guidelines make it mandatory for visa applicants to provide details of their social media identifiers and emphasize that visa applications to Indian citizens should be evaluated on the basis of merit.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Visa and immigration matters are related to the sovereign functions of any country. We have seen the guidelines issued by the US Embassy. It details social media identifiers in visa applications. But we believe that all visa applications of Indian citizens should be considered on the basis of merit." The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs has assured that India will continue to talk with the US on issues related to movement and consulate. He said, "We will continue to talk with the US side on all issues related to movement and consulate, to ensure that the legitimate interests of Indian citizens are protected."

Randhir Jaiswal said that US officials have informed India that no changes have been made at the advisory level. He said, "We have found that the United States has also updated its travel advisory for India on June 16. We have been informed by US officials that there has been no change in the advisory level for India. It remains at Level-2 as before. The US travel advisory for India has remained at Level-2 for many years."

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