New Delhi:
Annoyed with the US visa rules, CNR Rao, the Science Advisor to Prime Minister, has threatened to boycott visiting the US. Mr Rao has been affected by the US visa norms that allow a one year visa to some Indian scientists, as opposed to the earlier five-ten year multiple entry visa.
Clearly unhappy with the annual pilgrimage scientists are forced to make to the American Embassy, Mr Rao said, "India is getting roughed up by the Americans."
Mr Rao, a frequent visitor to the US for the past 50 years has been hit by the visa norms for three years now.
Speaking to NDTV, he said, "I find it very insulting to go through this each year. I am sick and tired...may never go to America again after my current visa expires."
The Minister of State for Science Ashwani Kumar lodged a protest with US President Barack Obama's Science Advisor John P Holdren after the issue came up during the recent Indo-US strategic dialogue, calling the visa rules a bottleneck that impedes free scientific exchange.
The US Embassy in New Delhi has not said why this is happening, however, President Obama's Science Advisor told NDTV, "I understand visas are a problem...we hope to improve."