The union government of India has announced a new decision, under which foreign tourists travelling to the country will be able to get mobile connections up-to the duration of just three months.

The government has ordered telecom service providers in the country to issue connections only for three months to foreign tourists to the country. The tourists will now be able to present their passports with a valid Indian visa as an identity proof for issuance of a mobile connection. The service providers will be able to accept tour operator's address or the address of the tourist's temporary residence.

The new guidelines from the union home ministry read, "Any mobile connection issued to a foreigner should not have validity beyond the validity of the visa. In case of foreign tourist, the validity of connection should not be beyond the visa period and also not exceed three months at a time even if the validity of the visa is beyond three months."

The new rule comes after reports of misuse of SIM cards by foreign nationals even after leaving the country. It is believed that security agencies had also raised concerns over the misuse of mobile connections from the country.