At last, India and Pakistan have put their signatures to a visa agreement that is forward looking, even if it falls far short of the ideal of freeing up all travel between the two countries. The new agreement allows at least some categories of citizens in both countries to meet more easily, and with fewer restrictions. Earlier, citizens of either country could visit three cities in the other. This has now changed to five cities. Under the old system, visitors had to enter and exit through the same point; in the new one, they can exit and enter from any of three designated points, which in India now includes Chennai. Visitors over 65 years of age can obtain visas on arrival at the Wagah-Attari land crossing. But the two sides continue to remain firm on not allowing individual tourist visas, perhaps the only two countries in the world to do so. In keeping with the new trade winds blowing across the subcontinent, businesspersons are the main beneficiaries. Their visas are now in a separate category: they will be fast-tracked, issued for longer durations, and multiple visits to as many as 10 cities will be allowed. The SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry expects bilateral trade to double from its present annual level of $ 2.56 billion within a year as a result. That may be an exaggeration; there still remain other barriers that need to come down for trade to take off.
However deficient, the visa agreement is still a sign that the two countries can move beyond just talk of normalisation, to take a concrete step that may help achieve this goal. At their meeting in Islamabad, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India emphasised the need to learn from history without being held hostage to it. India has shown it has the ability to move forward from the 2008 attacks in Mumbai while hoping Pakistan brings the perpetrators to book; for its own sake too, it is important that Islamabad does this, and clamps down on terror outfits. Both sides are only too aware of the challenge to ensure that the present dialogue process, which began two years after the Mumbai attacks, and that has been remarkable for the maturity with which both sides have addressed their differences, is not derailed or reversed again. There are other positive outcomes that can be easily achieved if the two sides can keep at it. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh mentioned the resolution of Sir Creek as one possibility recently. He must not shy away from visiting Pakistan in November this year, as requested by President Asif Ali Zardari. A visit by an Indian Prime Minister would provide the process the right amount of political energy to keep it going.
Keywords: India-Pakistan visa agreement, India-Pakistan ties
Now it will be more easy for extremist to cross border and even easy to carry means for attack which earlier was a bit difficult.thanks again to congress government.may i request government that kindly allow KASAB to visit pak once in a week. i am sure that this bold step will strengthen the ties and will be a boon to economy.
Great step forward. Its good to see some material changes coming from
the long-stretched dialogue process. It shows that Pakistan is sincere
in its commitment to establish peaceful relations.And trade and commerce
is the best way to start. It is interesting to note that these changes
are taking place under the aegis of SAARC.This will increase the
importance of the bloc as a whole.
This is article is quite optimistic one. And slightly away from the real issue, which is India facing from the other side. Starting of new VISA rules is a another myopic step that Indian government has taken.It seems that,GOI is not valuing the lives of his own citizens and even its own self respect.Killing of hundreds of people in Mumbai and attack on the Parliament. How they can forget these things? But, on the other hand,friendly relationship with your neighbor is indeed a beneficial thing from business's point of view. But this is the point where you have to decide, money or respect. The author must think that Pakistan is not very prosperous nation. Pakistan is nation which has been declared many times as a "terrorist factory"how we can expect to get peace in import from the Pakistan. The business man may come here to do recce. As it was earlier said by IB that Pakistan is using cricket players for recce of site for their future attack. So ,need not to be too much optimistic.
Although both the countries are showing positive signs of bilateral
relations,but one should not forget the history of pakistan.Though
this step will benefit the common man of both the countries,it will
also enhance and prosper trade.It will also lead to close
interactions between the youths of both the lands and thus there will
be a better understanding of wot they actually want.Moreover the mass
of pakistan will indirectly get a chance to move away from the
darkness prevailing there and also from the clutches of few henchmen
who have always portrayed a different picture of India.
Normalisation of relations between the two south Asian giants is the positive sign.Indo pak bitter relations has remained the bottleneck in the development South Asia ,one hopes the coming years will reduce this tension and new era of emancipation and development will dawn in our side of world .
The words in the article 'at their meeting in Islamabad, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India emphasised the need to learn from history without being held hostage to it' correctly emphasize the need of the hour. Ordinary people are affected by the frequent disturbances caused by wily politicians and cunning arms manufacturers. Given the choice the majority of the common folks would like to lead peaceful existence. We appreciate the efforts of the both the governments to make way for more and more interaction between people - ordinary farmers, workers, small businessmen, cultural groups, students, etc.
A good step forward. In its current situation Pakistan needs India's support in all fields. Instability of Pakistan is a security threat to India. Prosperity of Pakistanis is necessary to avoid Kasab like persons become deviated into terrorist activities.
Why? why? why? India should shun all talks with Pakistan unless the Mumbai attack issue has been dealt with properly. The way that India has been behaving gives Pakistan the freedom to do anything and get away with it, because they think that India will again come forward and lend a helping hand. I believe no trade, no visa, no cricket match between India and Pakistan unless Pakistan mends its ways. Some may say that I am very strict in my approach, but ask the victims of the Mumbai attacks and you will know that my approach is still very humble. Thank you
I am still waiting to see if Pakistan will come through on its long promised legal commitment to match India by granting MFN by the end of the year. If the security establishment in Pakistan won't even let the civilians do this, then it is pointless waiting for action against LeT and other terrorist organizations.
Both countries should be hailed for this landmark agreement. No doubt more people will be benefited from it, bilateral trade will also get enhanced. I hope this would last long and not ends up with MFN status granted by Pakistan and revoked the next day only.Commerce minister should be praised for his active role in soothing ties between countries and exploring various areas of Trade.
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