India requires police to get approval for foreign trips

The Indian government has raised concerns about state police officers accepting foreign hospitality and undertaking visits abroad without prior approval from the Ministries of Home Affairs (MHA) or External Affairs (MEA). This is due to potential risks to national security. The government's warning, communicated in recent letters, highlights that such unauthorized interactions could be exploited for intelligence gathering and the development of informal communication channels. The MHA has issued guidelines and advisories under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, emphasizing the need for prior permission. The advisory underscores that direct contact between state police and foreign entities, bypassing central government oversight, poses serious implications. The government is urging strict compliance with existing regulations to safeguard against potential security threats.