India, Pakistan to make travel easier
The new visa regime will come into force in two phases on January 15 and March 15.
NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan announced a new visa regime that will make cross-border travel easier.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said tensions between the two countries have eased a great deal since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The journey towards peace "is progressing very well because of growing interaction between the two governments," said Malik, who held talks with Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.
Condemning the Mumbai attacks, Malik told reporters that non-state actors, a reference to extremist groups, were playing "havoc with both countries."
Shinde said Pakistan s promises in the past to punish those responsible for the Mumbai attacks have not been fulfilled.
India claims the terrorists had ties to Pakistani intelligence officials, which Islamabad denies.
"I am thankful to you (Malik) for assuring India that you will cooperate in handing over the perpetrators to India," Shinde told reporters Friday.
The new visa system will allow members of divided families, businesspeople, tourists and religious pilgrims to obtain visas quickly instead of waiting for months.
It will come into force in two phases on Jan. 15 and March 15, said a joint statement by the two ministers. Visas on arrival will be given to people over 65. Both countries say they aim to give visas to younger people within 45 days.
Malik will also meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders before returning home on Sunday.
