PIO Endorsement for New US Passport

[dravp]

Hi,
I just realized that my PIO card (exp dt 2018) does not have my new US Passport endorsed. I am to travel to India in 4 weeks time.

I have read few posts on this forum re: similar issue with "minors"; but being an adult myself, will it make a difference ? Can i still travel to India carrying both my passports (new and old US passport) and the PIO card, or is it mandatory to get PIO endorsed with the new Passport number? As such the BLS international service (which handles India Visa here in US) states that the turn-around time for such endorsement would be 4 weeks. Tried calling them multiple times, but could not get hold of anyone.

Any ideas / suggestions..??

Thanks

[paramu1977]

I found the following information.. They have not explicitly stated whether it is mandatory or optional..

Foreigners holding PIO cards-

The foreigners holding PIO cards can gain entry into India if valid PIO card is presented along with the valid new foreign passport issued in lieu of the passport endorsed on the PIO card.

However the foreigners are advised to have necessary endorsement of the new passport from the competent authority on their PIO cards to avoid any inconvenience.

Thanks,
Paramu.