One step closer: Pakistan, India finalise new visa agreement draft

Streamlined policy will ease visa application process for applicants from either side and help boost trade.

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Friday finalised the draft of new Bilateral Visa Agreement to ease travel for nationals of either country desiring to visit the other, Press Trust of India PTI reported.

The draft was finalized during second meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on visa matters which also examined modalities for streamlining visa procedures, an Indian Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

The two-day meeting, held in pursuance of the decision taken during India-Pakistan Home/ Interior Secretary-level talks held in March, was follow-up on deliberations held in first meeting of JWG in Islamabad in June this year.

It was attended by Anil Goswami, Additional Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs and Nasar Hayat, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Interior from Pakistani. "The discussions were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. The two sides finalised draft text of the agreement which will be submitted to the respective governments for obtaining necessary approvals in order to sign the agreement at an early date," MEA said.