New Delhi: Ways to deepen ties between the two neighbours with special focus on issues like visa regime, education and the progress in the dialogue process came up for discussion at the fourth round of India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue here Friday.
A delegation of Pakistani MPs led by Deputy Le
ader of Senate Sabir Ali Baloch met Indian lawmakers and discussed confidence building measures, the trust deficit between the two nations and the recent bilateral developments among other issues.
The MPs from both sides discussed the opportunities of deepening ties between the two countries specifically focusing on the issues of visa regime, the role of media, education and local government. The MPs also discussed the developments in the official Pak-India Dialogue, a release from Pakistan High Commission here said.
A team of 59 Indian MPs, led by BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, interacted with the Pakistani MPs. The Indian team also included Mani Shankar Aiyar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
Receiving the delegation, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said it is a great fortune that India and Pakistan are neighbours that works in favor of each other.
‘Our relationship goes back in history through civilisational bonds and beyond… The people of India want a stronger and peaceful relationship with the people of Pakistan,’ she said.
On the second day of the dialogue tomorrow, the MPs will discuss opportunities for collaboration in the area of health, while also developing recommendations on the future scope of the MPs’ Dialogue.
The interaction between Parliamentarians is taking place against the backdrop of fresh war of words between the two countries, with India saying the Pakistani elements were behind the recent rumour mongering that triggered panic among people of northeast in various other parts of the country.
