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Plan in place for smooth passage for 2,000 Indians to the US
NEW DELHI: Incidents such as the detention of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at an American airport could be averted once India and the US begin implementing
NEW DELHI: Incidents such as the detention of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at an American airport could be averted once India and the US begin implementing an MoU for expedited clearances of select travellers that was signed in June.
The MoU was signed days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest visit to the US, and Indian security officials have said that they are drawing up a list of some 2,000 key personalities who could initially benefit from the US Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry programme.
“We have signed the MoU with the US on June 3. Now we are completing the necessary procedures and formalities before it kicks in,” an official who did not want to be named told HT, adding it could take 8-11 months for completion.
During discussions with their US counterparts last year, Indian officials had suggested that several former presidents, prime ministers and ministers, top businessmen, actors could be among the initial beneficiaries of the Global Entry scheme.
The US Customs and Border Protection is part of the Department of Homeland Security and the Global Entry programme allows the expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travellers on arrival in the United States.
Around 2,000 prominent Indians are expected to be on the list, which will gradually expand as ordinary citizens will also be eligible. Approved Indian travelers can gain expedited entry into the US through automatic kiosks at select airports.
US authorities will have the final say on admitting an Indian citizen into the Global Entry programme.
