India and Pakistan today agreed on working out mechanisms to address issues related to the release of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody. They also exchanged views on easing the visa regime and facilitating travel of more pilgrims to shrines on both sides.A joint press statement was issued at the end of the two-day official-level talks on promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields. It stated that the two sides discussed ways to broaden the scope of the 1974 bilateral protocol on visits to religious places by increasing the number of pilgrims and shrines to be visited on both sides.‘‘The discussions were held in a very cordial and constructive atmosphere,’’ the MEA spokesperson said.Both sides exhanged several proposals for promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation in the field of art, culture, archaeology, education, science and technology, youth affairs and sports, media and tourism. According to the statement, the implementation of the programmes would be undertaken through mutual coordination.The Indian delegation for the talks was led by Culture Secretary Neena Ranjan, while the Pakistani side was headed by Syed Jalil Abbas, Secretary, Minorities, Tourism, Culture and Youth Affairs.New Delhi also suggested liberalising the visa regime, opening of more religious shrines for pilgrim visits in both countries and starting group tours to specific places of tourist interest by issuing group visas.
