India and Pakistan Step Closer to Group Tourism

India and Pakistan have inched closer to introducing, for the first time, a category of tourist visa for travel between both countries with the latter agreeing to a two-year-old suggestion by New Delhi for permitting group tourism between both countries. As of now, there can be no travel without a formal invitation letter in hand.

Pakistan responded a couple of weeks ago to this Indian proposal in the form of a revised draft agreement that is being actively considered ahead of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Islamabad.

According to this, tourists will be permitted in groups handled by identified tour operators and agents for a period of 14 days. While there are no objections from any quarter — security agencies included — this proposal needs the clearance of the Cabinet before being signed. Alternatively, the two foreign ministers can agree on this and enter into an agreement later.

Though Mukherjee will be in Islamabad to deliver an invitation to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan PM Shaukat Aziz for the SAARC Summit in April at Delhi, the two foreign ministers will conduct a proper review of the progress made in the last round of the composite dialogue process. All issues, including terrorism, Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek will be on the agenda for talks.

Pakistan is also keen on signing some other agreements during the visit like the one on nuclear risk reduction measures that has already been initialed by both countries, on quarterly flag meetings between sector commanders along the Line of Control and on speedy return of inadvertent line-crossers. However, these agreements are still being examined by New Delhi.

Both sides have shown intent recently to liberalise visa procedures and in this context, stress is on adding new categories to the 1974 visa agreement. To promote business interaction, India is also keen on multiple-entry visas for businessmen.

Already, India has made several unilateral moves like allowing visa on arrival for those below 12 and over the age of 65. New Delhi has also extended student visas to Pakistan and, in fact, a dozen Pakistani students have made avail of this facility.