Pakistan, India to finalise visa regime

Islamabad, Apr 7 (UNI) Pakistan and India will enter into belated fifth round of composite dialogue by the middle of this year with a view to establishing visa free regime between the two countries.

The News quoted diplomatic channels as saying ''the two countries will be able to reach at least one agreement on liberalisation of visa regime that would be a landmark improvement in their ties.'' However, the talks are not expected to bring about any tangible improvement in conflict resolution that has to be 'in tandem' with the other aspects of the composite dialogue because of the Indian stance getting tougher with the passage of time.

The peace process envisages simultaneous progress on all eight issues, which are part of the agenda, 'peace and security' and Kashmir being on the top.

Highly placed diplomatic channels indicated that Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Mennon is expected to visit Islamabad in the first week of next month to be followed by a visit by Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee in the same month.

UNI XC RJ MIR KP1336