CPI(M) welcomes India-Pakistan visa agreement

SRINAGAR: Welcoming the liberalised visa agreement between India and Pakistan, the CPI(M) today said that similair facility should be extended to cross Line of Control (LoC) travel in Jammu and Kashmir.

"It is a welcome step and a good beginning. This will help in improving the relations between the two countries," CPI(M) state secretary Mohammad Yusuf Tarig said.

He expressed hope that India and Pakistan will work on more confidence building measures particularly focused on providing relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir living on either side of the LoC.

"We would expect the two countries to provide similar facility for easing restrictions on the cross-LoC travel. India and Pakistan should also work out a mechanism for providing banking and communication facilities for cross-LoC trade in Jammu and Kashmir," Tarigami added.

The liberalised visa agreement today signed between External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik, introduces for the first time group tourist and pilgrim visas, separate visa for businessmen and visa on arrival for those over 65 years of age.

The new pact replaces a 38-year-old restrictive visa agreement and will pave the way for time-bound visa approval and greater people to people contacts and boost trade.