India to activate diplomatic channels to implement visa pact with Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India today said it will activate diplomatic channels with Islamabad to implement a landmark visa agreement aimed at easing travel restrictions, a day after Pakistan's cabinet ratified five recent accords including the visa one.

The visa agreement, signed by then Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Interior Minister Rehman Malik in Islamabad on September 8, eases curbs on issuing visas to traders, elderly people, tourists, pilgrims, members of civil society and children.

"We will activate diplomatic channels to implement it," Syed Akbaruddin, the external affairs ministry's spokesperson, told reporters here when asked about India's reaction on the Pakistan government move.