We understand that getting a US visa

We understand that getting a US visa is a hurdle. But we are working on fixing the problem. President Obama recognizes that tourism from emerging markets such as India, Brazil and China plays an important role and, therefore, the visa regime should be improved. In India, the wait time has already gone down for US visas. Also for renewal of visas one doesn't need to go for an interview, now. So we are taking gradual steps to make the process simpler. I am sure there will be some impact on corporate travel. However, this is only anecdotal right now. The figures for 2013 will reflect if there is a significant dip in travel growth from India.

Yesterday, I wrote about Janis Shinwari, an Afghan who served as an interpreter for the U.S. Army for seven years, bravely and honorably, saving the lives of several American soldiers, including Lieutenant now Captain Matt Zeller. I heard about Shinwari and Zeller through Becca Heller of the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project. There are thousands of cases of Iraqis and Afghans who risked their lives for the U.S., only to have their chance at an American visa endlessly delayed or denied.

Shinwari and Zeller got nowhere when they tried to find out who or what had destroyed his hopes. It's a maddening feature of these cases that life-changing determinations are made by unknown officials operating under the cloak of the empty but omnipotent phrase "national security." No one is even sure which agency of the U.S. government has made the decision. Afghans and Iraqis are left to face death threats and despair in their own country without a clue as to the reason they've been left behind. It's a little like being arrested and imprisoned without knowing the charge or ever appearing before a judge.