* Cross-LoC trade, travel reviewed
ISLAMABAD, Sept 8:
India and Pakistan today finally made progress on people-to people contact by inking pacts on a new visa regime and cultural exchanges but there was no headway on New Delhi’s concerns on the Mumbai terror attacks case, with Islamabad only assuring that it will bring to book the perpetrators as per its law.
Despite the reiteration of an invitation by Pakistan’s top leadership for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit, India remained non-committal on the timing of the trip with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna saying that a “proper atmosphere” and a “worthwhile” outcome was necessary.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari announced immediate release of all Indian fishermen, including those who have not completed their prison terms, terming it as a “goodwill gesture” to mark Krishna’s visit.
Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar reviewed the last round of talks on all bilateral issues, including, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir and Siachen and chalked out the roadmap for future round of discussions. The two Ministers also chaired the Joint Commission Meeting.
After the talks, Krishna drove to Interior Ministry to ink the new visa pact with Rehman Malik, who termed the signing of the pact as a “positive development” and a “gesture of friendship” from Pakistan.
At a joint press interaction, Khar, who spoke first, made no reference to terrorism in her over 15-minute opening statement but Krishna said both sides agreed that terror continues to pose a threat to peace and security.
In this regard, he said, Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to bring 26/11 perpetrators to justice expeditiously as per the Pakistani law.
Responding to a repeated question on the timing of keenly-awaited Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Pakistan, Krishna said,”I am hopeful that the visit will take place” but when it will happen he cannot commit.
Krishna said that after his return to Delhi, he will give his assessment to the Prime Minister, to which Khar quickly added that she was sure that the “it will be a positive assessment”.
Though both leaders asserted that their ties should not be held hostage, India made it clear that it will not “gloss over” Mumbai attacks which has happened in recent past.
Though noting that there were “positive atmospherics” in the ties, Krishna was very clear on Pakistan addressing India’s terror related concerns when he later told reporters that Mumbai (terror attack) was very much on the table and it was upto Pakistan to do a follow up. He also said that “let’s walk the talk.”
According to sources, Pakistan was reluctant to include reference to 26/11 but India persisted and succeeded.
“The Ministers noted the commitment given by Pakistan during the Interior/Home Secretary talks in May 2012 to bring all the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks to justice expeditiously in accordance with due process of law,” the joint statement said.
From Pakistan side, issues like Jammu and Kashmir, which it termed as “core concern”, Siachen and Sir Creek were raised with Khar strongly advocating forward movement on Siachen, saying the two countries should not miss out on past opportunities.
She also said the aspiration of Kashmiris should be taken into account while resolving Kashmir issue.
Maintaining that the talks were “cordial, candid and constructive atmosphere”, the Ministers reviewed the status of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the holding of meetings on the issues of Counter-Terrorism (including progress on Mumbai trial) and Narcotics Control; Humanitarian issues; Commercial and Economic cooperation; Wullar Barrage/ Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; Siachen; Peace and Security including CBMs; Jammu and Kashmir; and promotion of Friendly Exchanges.
Asked about the recent incidents against Pakistani Hindus, Khar downplayed the issue and said her country was committed to protect the most vulnerable segment of the society.
The six-page joint statement said, “The Ministers agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security. They reaffirmed the strong commitment of the two countries to fight terrorism in an effective and comprehensive manner so as to eliminate the scourge in all its forms and manifestations.”
The Ministers noted that during the Interior/Home Secretary talks in May 2012, Indian side had conveyed that the investigation in the Samjhauta Express blast case is still ongoing and updated information will be shared with the Pakistan authorities, through diplomatic channels when the investigation is completed.
Welcoming the release of prisoners and fishermen, including those suffering from ailments, in the past year or so, they agreed that the Agreement on Consular Access should be implemented in letter and spirit including immediate notification of arrests by either side, consular access to all persons within three months of arrests, release of prisoners within one month of completion of sentence and confirmation of their national status.
Holding substantive discussions on the whole range of issues within the framework of the Dialogue process, the two expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved since their last review meeting in July 2011 but acknowledged that there was a long way to go.
They also reaffirmed the importance of carrying forward the dialogue process with a view to resolving peacefully all outstanding issues through constructive and result oriented engagement, and to establish friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations between Pakistan and India.
The two sides agreed on the need to implement its recommendations on various aspects of release and repatriation of prisoners and fishermen of each country by the other and adoption of the humane approach in dealing with cases of fishermen and prisoners, especially women, elderly, juvenile, and those terminally ill or suffering from serious illness or physical/ mental disability.
The Ministers welcomed the decision during the last meeting of the Home/Interior Secretaries of the two countries in May 2012 to initiate discussions in order to strengthen mutual cooperation in criminal matters.
Noting that the two countries attached importance to promoting Peace and Security, including Confidence Building Measures, between the two countries, Krishna and Khar agreed to convene separate meetings of the Expert Groups on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs, in New Delhi in the second half of December 2012, the statement said.
The Ministers held discussions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to the need for continued discussions, in a purposeful and forward looking manner, with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences, it said.
They also reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken regarding travel and trade across the Line of Control (LoC) in their last meeting in July 2011 and expressed expressed satisfaction at the increasing number of people of Jammu and Kashmir who are able to avail of the facility to travel across LoC, and also at the growing Cross-LoC trade benefitting them on both sides of the LoC.
The Ministers welcomed the signing of the new Visa Agreement which liberalises bilateral visa regime and introduces a number of measures aimed at easing travel of business persons, tourists, pilgrims, elderly and children, thereby facilitating contacts between peoples of the two countries, who should remain at the heart of the relationship between Pakistan and India.
The Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of culture between the Pakistan National Council of the Arts and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
“The two sides exchanged views on Siachen, Sir Creek and Wullar Barrage/ Tulbul Navigation Project, agreed that there is the need to effectively address these issues by finding mutually acceptable solutions and reiterated their commitment to do so. They also reaffirmed the importance of abiding by the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty,” the statement said.
In the first concrete outcome of Indo-Pak dialogue, the two countries today signed agreements to substantially ease travel restrictions and for cultural exchanges.
The visa agreement has five new categories, including multiple city one-year visas for businessmen, visa-on-arrival for people aged 65 years and group tourist visas for groups of 10 to 50 people coming through registered tour operators.
The cultural bodies of the two countries—Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and its Pakistani counterpart body (PNCS) — also inked an agreement to augment cultural exchanges between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari announced the immediate release of all Indian fishermen, including those who have not completed their prison terms, describing it as a “goodwill gesture” to mark Krishna’s visit.
The new pact, signed between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik, 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.
While there was no time-frame for issuance of non-diplomatic visas, the new pact says that visa has to be issued with a period of not exceeding 45 days of application.
Under the new regime, one can visit five places instead of the three at present and those above 65 years of age and children below 12 years of age and “eminent” businessmen are exempted from police reporting.
Under the category of Visitor visa, earlier only single entry visa for three months used to be issued for meeting relatives, friends, business or other legitimate purpose. Moreover, visa could be only issued for longer period not exceeding one year if owing to the nature of work or business.
Under the new pact, single entry visa is to be issued for six months but stay should not exceed three months at a time and for five places.
Under a new Category II, a visitor visa for a maximum five specified places may be issued for a longer period, up to two years with multiple entries to senior citizens (those above 65 years), spouses of a national of one country married to a person of another country and children below 12 years of age accompanying parents as given earlier.
The new Group Tourist visa will be issued for not less than 10 people and not more than 50 people. This visa will be valid for 30 days and will have to be applied through tour operators, registered by the two Governments.
The Group Tourist visa facility will also be available to students of educational institutions of both countries.
However, this will be a tourist visa only and not for seeking admission in educational institutions of either country.
There are two categories for Business visa. Businessmen with an income of Pakistan Rupees half million or equivalent per annum or annual turnover/gross sale of Pakistan Rupees three million or equivalent will be given one year business visa, with five places for up to four entries.
In Category II, businessmen with an income of at least Pakistan Rupees five million or equivalent per annum or turnover of Pakistan Rupees thirty million or equivalent per annum will be given one year multiple entry business visas for Upton ten places, with exemption from police reporting.
The visa shall specify that the period of stay of the businessman at a time shall not exceed 30 days. The maximum time taken in processing of a business visa will not exceed more than five weeks.
In what would be a real joy for people from both sides who want to visit religious places across the border, Pilgrim visas will be issued to those intending to visit religious shrines as per the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, or any future revision to the Protocol.
Such visas will need to be applied at least 45 days before the commencement of the intended tour. The visas will be issued at least ten days before the commencement of travel. These visas will be issued for a single entry, restricted to 15 days validity and would be non-extendable.
Under the new pact, persons of more than 65 years of age will be given visa on arrival at Attari/Wagha checkpost for 45 days. This visa will be non-extendable and non-convertible.
Earlier, people had to enter and exit through the same route and have to use same mode of travel for onward and return journey. Exemptions were made on case to case basis.
However, under the new scheme, people can enter and exit from different check posts and change in mode of travel will also be permitted.
But this is subject to the exception that Exit from Wagha/Attari, by road (on Foot) cannot be accepted, unless the entry was also by foot via Attari/Wagha.
The checkpoints for those travelling by air has changed. While earlier, one could fly in at Mumbai, Delhi and Amritsar, under the new pact, one can fly in at Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
With respect to police registration, the new pact says that bona fide businessmen, not in EPR (Exemption from police reporting) category, may depute their authorised representatives for reporting.
The new visa agreement was supposed to be signed in May during the Home/Interior Secretary-levels talks held here but got postponed after Pakistan said it wanted to sign at at political level.
Meanwhile, in a goodwill gesture to mark External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s visit, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered the immediate release of all remaining 271 Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails.
“All Indian fishermen have been released—those who have completed their jail terms and those who are still serving,” Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said.
Krishna thanked the Pakistan Government for the “wonderful gesture” of releasing the fishermen.
“I hope their boats and trawlers are also released,” he said.
Last month also, Pakistan had freed 55 Indian fishermen from the Malir jail in Karachi as a “goodwill gesture” on the occasion of India’s Independence Day.
Earlier in June, Pakistan had released 315 Indian fishermen, including 14 teenagers.
The fishermen from both countries are routinely arrested by maritime security forces after they cross into each other’s territorial waters.
The fishermen claim they stray into each other’s waters as there is no clear divide between the two countries in the Arabian sea. (PTI)
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