SM Krishna snubs Tharoor for visa remarks

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 15:55

Tags: SM Krishna, Shashi Tharoor, Visas

SM Krishna snubs Tharoor for visa remarks

New Delhi: Everyone will have to fall on the same page," was the External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's message on Wednesday to his junior Shashi Tharoor who had publicly questioned the new visa rules.

Minutes after Tharoor met him, Krishna said there could be different perceptions but there is also a method and procedure to "sort out" those issues and he was sure that his deputy minister "understands" that.

"The broad policy parameters are dictated, decided by the Minister in-charge of External Affairs of this country and everyone will have to fall on the same page," he said when asked if Tharoor and the Ministry were on the same page.

Krishna had publicly rebuked Tharoor for using the social networking site 'twitter' for questioning the relevance of tightening of visa norms in the backdrop of David Headley episode. "26/11 killers had no visas", he had posted and wondered if the new rules will make India a less welcoming destinations for tourists.

About repeated controversies over Tharoor tweeting, Krishna said, "I would request you to not generalise issues. There could be different perceptions.

"As I have said in my statement earlier and if there are different perception then I think there is a method, there is a procedure where we sort out those issues and I am sure that Tharoor understands that."

He said the two also discussed the visa policy but did not give the details of the talks.

"We discussed. With reference to visa policy, I think the Home Ministry after deliberations have come out with a new policy.

Whenever, a new policy comes into effect, there are bound to be repercussions and based on the kind of feedback that MEA gets from various sources, we take it up with the Ministry of Home Affairs and then if need be, we will suggest to the Home Ministry to what needs to be done in this regard," Krishna said.

Replying to a question if as the boss of the Ministry, he was happy with the outcome of the meeting with Tharoor, Krishna said, "Oh yes. As the boss of the Ministry, as head of External Affairs Ministry, I am completely at peace with myself and the Ministry. Everything is alright."

PTI

First Published: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 15:55

Comments

PP TALWAR - India
MOS External Affairs Minister, Shashi Tharoor apart from throwing his weight around, he gives an impression, as if he is not under anyone and thus he can dictate his own views/ decisions/actions. Shashi Tharoor, obviously lacks professional loyalty. Despite having been warned by Prime Mintster on an earlier occasion when he had got involved in an controversy, Tharoor is proving to be a habitual offender. It is time PM takes strong action in showing door to Shashi Tharoor who is unfit to be a Minister in UPA government.

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Bhupinder Chhibber - Sydney
As per Indian Constitution, council of ministers bears collective responsibility, which means that ministers are jointly responsible for the decisions taken by government. No minister is expected to criticize the decision of his/her own or any other ministry. He/She should leave the govt. before doing this.
Our previous Prime Minister Morarji Desai sacked Charan Singh & Raj Narain for criticizing the government where they were working as home minister & health minister respectively. It will be better for Dr. Manmohan Singh to take firm stand before public starts questioning about it. Otherwise also, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor is known for being very expensive Minster to keep if we go by media reports in the past about his lavish living style.