“As per the revised procedure, the security clearance for grant of Conference Visa is required from the MHA (ministry of home affairs) in respect of participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and stateless persons,” The Indian Express said.

“Participants from other countries can obtain a Conference Visa from the Indian Mission concerned on production of either the invitation letter from the organiser, event clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, administrative approval of the nodal ministry, political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs or clearance from the State Government/Union Territories concerned,” the multi-edition English daily, known for ‘breaking news’, added.

Indian peace activists were planning to host a People’s Saarc in April ahead of the summit meeting of the eight-nation South Asian group in Thimpu.

The Express said the new rules required nodal offices and ministries to ‘strictly adhere’ to them with regard to foreign participants coming to India for attending international conferences, seminars and workshops.

“These instructions have been issued so as to ensure that all organisers of such international events strictly adhere to the timeline for submitting their proposals to this ministry at least six weeks before the commencement of the event. This would ensure that security clearance for the event and for the participants could be suitably assessed,” the home ministry statement said