Indian visa regime will support tourists applying online followed by a three-day wait and, if approved, a pick-up at the airport that is the point of entry.. PHOTO: FILE
Considering the potential for cross-border tourism given the shared cultural heritage, this is something less than a confidence-building measure; indeed, it is the opposite. If India really wants to lower the temperature of bilateral relations, it needs to be waking up to the reality that not all Pakistanis are terrorists. There are many Pakistanis who would choose to visit India for tourism given the opportunity. The families that were divided in 1947 are still split in many instances and would welcome a chance to renew family ties and meet with relatives on the other side of the border.
An emerging middle class with disposable income will buy into subcontinental tourism — and that goes both ways. Person-to-person contact is a proven way of defusing tensions. Paranoia and mistrust are both easily fed in India and Pakistan, with myths and half-truths and plain old lies told in the service of further dividing the two. The corrosive relationship that has been assiduously maintained by both needs to be dialled back and perpetuating old frictions in this way helps nobody.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (11)
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you printed my comment, but has disappeared since then. wonder why?
Pakistanis must forgive the Indian government for this "discriminatory visa" treatment.
We still remember the memorable visit from the 10 Pakistani tourists on 26/11/2008.
Francis.
A timely Editorial by ET, thanks for taking up this topic. The fact is most countries have visa policies on reciprocal basis. If Pakistan is sincere in its efforts we should liberalize visa with India to show our intent. Long ago I had taken a flight from India to Lahore. I had seen big tall Sikh youths crying at our immigration check points at the airports. The poor Muslim Indian women were not treated any better. When we treat each of them as criminals how can we expect a better treatment? We have to start with honesty, sincerity, and friendship not that beheaded bodies start appearing at the border or LOC. In my half a dozen trips to India I have never been treated without respect and fairness. In fact I found it very friendly and wish to spend my vacations there ASAP.
As a Pakistani I have to refute this. Why on earth would India want people from an enemy nation to walk freely in its country. They have good reason too. The Mumbai bomb blasts.
Fact is, we need Indian tourism more than they need ours. We need to relax our visa regime for them to make money for ourselves. Whether they do or not for us is irrelevant, as long as they come and spend money here good for us.
We need to be pragmatic and sensible, let them come and spend their money. It will only help out economy.
There is nothing in common.
Maybe the most naive Editorial written ---- anywhere/anytime.
Considering the potential for cross-border tourism
Considering the potential for cross-border terrorism, India should stop issuing visas to Pakistanis.