Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether the Prime Minister had a meeting with the President of Pakistan, Shri Zardari, at New Delhi;

(b) if so, the significance of this meeting as far as improving the relationship between the two countries is concerned;

(c) whether the Prime Minister has got an invitation to visit Pakistan;

(d) if so, when the Prime Minister would visit Pakistan; and

(e) whether the visa rules are being relaxed with a view to boost Indo-Pak trade relationship further?

ANSWER: THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.315 REGARDING “PM’S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN” FOR ANSWER ON 26.04.2012

President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari came to India on a private visit on April 8, 2012. During the visit, a meeting was held in New Delhi between Prime Minister and the President of Pakistan. The leaders had a friendly and constructive conversation covering all aspects of India-Pakistan bilateral relations, and regional and global issues of common interest. It was noted that there had been steady progress in the dialogue process which was restarted last year. Both sides felt that we need to move forward step by step and find pragmatic and mutually acceptable solutions to all issues. The two leaders also discussed developments in the region, and the potential of regional cooperation for the economic development of people of both countries. It was clear from the conversation that both countries consider the dialogue process and the improvement of bilateral relations as being in the mutual interest of the people of India and Pakistan.

President Zardari invited Prime Minister to visit Pakistan. Prime Minister accepted the invitation with pleasure and said that he would be happy to visit at an appropriate time. The diplomatic channels will be used to work out mutually acceptable dates and substantive preparations for that visit.

Both sides felt that priority needed to be given to issues of people-to-people contacts. In this context, it was decided that a liberalized visa agreement which has been worked out should be signed during the next meeting of the Home/Interior Secretaries. The proposed bilateral visa agreement would substantially liberalise the visa regime for businessmen on both sides.

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Pakistan
South Asia