India-Pakistan MPs Discuss Opportunities Of Deepening Ties

New Delhi, Aug 25, IRNA -- Ways to deepen ties between both neighbors with special focus on issues like visa regime, education and progress in the dialog process was raised in the 4th round of India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialog here on Friday. A delegation of Pakistani MPs led by Deputy Leader of Senate Sabir Ali Baloch met Indian lawmakers and discussed confidence building measures, trust deficit between both nations and the recent bilateral developments among other issues. The MPs discussed opportunities for deepening ties between the two countries focusing specifically on visa regime issues, role of media, education and local government. They also discussed developments in the official Pak-India Dialog, 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 neighbors that work in favor of each other. "Our relationship goes back in history through civilization 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 dialog, to be held Saturday, MPs will discuss opportunities for collaboration in the area of health, while also developing recommendations on the future scope of the MPs' Dialog. 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 rumor mongering that triggered panic among people of northeast in various other parts of the country./end