Thirteen days to Bangalore

In two weeks' time I will be in Bangalore attending the Global Tobacco Networking Forum. Or perhaps not. I had my inoculations last week but getting a visa is taking a little longer. The good news is I that have just received an email that reads, "Your visa application is at the embassy being processed".

Only when my visa is confirmed can I arrange flights and I'm a little concerned that all direct flights will be fully booked.

Thankfully I'm not the only one sweating on the result of a visa application. At the Lib Dem conference in Liverpool this week I met a fellow speaker and he's in a similar boat. The stories he told me about his own application were hilarious.

At least our applications are being processed. Apparently one or two speakers may have to drop out because of red tape and other issues. Seriously, this is something that India has to address. My visa application has cost me £180 (and it doesn't guarantee me a visa) so sceptics are entitled to question the process.

In the meantime the news from Delhi (Fears increase over Commonwealth Games) hardly inspires confidence but my friend Gary, who has spent a lot of time in India in the last year or two, assures me that it is the most marvellous country and we will get a very warm welcome.

Bangalore seems to offer an interesting combination of old and new so I'm looking forward to it, if I get there.