Premji defends US fingerprinting rule

Wipro Chairman Azim Premji on Wednesday defended the United States' moves to fingerprint and photograph foreign nationals entering the country.

He said he would make an American trip next week, his first after he was profiled by immigration authorities post-September 2001 terror attacks in the US.

"They are tightening their security with these measures. After a long time, I am going to the US next week," Premji, said.

Premji had expressed reservations after he was profiled by US immigration authorities because of his Muslim name during a business trip to the US.

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Even in India, he said, there were security hurdles that were being implemented, adding that this should not be a concern in the interest of security against terrorists.

"If you are profiled once, and subsequently many times, you are equivalent of a (US) citizen," Premji said.

Premji had complained of profiling every time he went to an airport in the United States, in the post-9/11 period, because of his religion.

He had said that in India he does not find himself being discriminated against for being a Muslim.