DOCUMENT No.5 
 

Joint Press Statement on India - Pakistan Discussions on Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in Various Fields

Talks between India and Pakistan on “Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in Various Fields” were held in New Delhi on August 3-4, 2004 within the framework of the Composite Dialogue. The Indian delegation was led by Mrs. Neena Ranjan, Secretary (Culture) and the Pakistan delegation was led by Mr. Jalil Abbas, Secretary, Minorities, Tourism, Culture and Youth Affairs.

2.     The Pakistan delegation called on Shri Jaipal Reddy, Hon’ble Minister for Culture and Information & Broadcasting. A meeting was also held with Smt. Meenaxi Anand Chaudhry, Secretary (Youth Affairs & Sports).

3.     The discussions were held in a very cordial and constructive atmosphere. Both sides made wide ranging proposals for promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation in the fields of art, culture, archaeology, education, science and technology, youth affairs and sports, media and tourism. Implementation of the programmes would be undertaken through mutual coordination.

4.     Views were also exchanged on liberalizing the visa regime and expanding the scope of the 1974 bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines by increasing the number of pilgrims and shrines on both sides. Both sides agreed to address the humanitarian issues concerning civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody.

4 August 2004

<http://meaindia.nic.in/jshome.htm>