The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken note of the new guidelines issued by the US Embassy, requiring visa applicants to provide details of their social media identifiers and emphasised that Indian nationals' visa applications should be evaluated based on merit, reported news agency ANI.

Speaking in a weekly briefing, Jaiswal said, "Visa and immigration matters pertain to sovereign functions of any country. But, we have seen the guidelines issued by the US Embassy, providing details of social media identifiers in visa applications."

"But we believe that all visa applications of Indian nationals should be treated based on merit," he added.