India to consider multiple visas for journos

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 January 2013

India is considering the issuance of multiple visas for journalists from SAARC countries to enhance media freedom. The decision follows discussions at the SAFMA conference in Amritsar, addressing outdated visa protocols.

Summary

NEW DELHI: India will consider granting multiple visas to journalists from SAARC nations, Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said.

According to the Press Trust of India, the minister was addressing the 8^th regional conference of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) in Amritsar. He said he would soon take up the matter to sort out multiple visas issues, the Press Trust of India reported.

He said the new Indo-Pak visa regime, which was operationalized last month, would also facilitate journalists to visit each other’s countries. The new pact is related to visitor, business and pilgrim visas and covers the facility of entering and exiting from different immigration check posts and exemption from reporting to police.

The new agreement replaces a 38-year-old tardy visa regime signed in 1974 by the two countries.

In his address, Indian Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal raised the issue, saying it was of immense emotional importance. Badal also urged SAFMA to take up the issue with both the Indian and Pakistan governments.

KEY POINTS:

• Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid announced multiple visa considerations.
• The new Indo-Pak visa regime aims to facilitate journalist visits between the two countries.
• The agreement replaces a 38-year-old visa system established in 1974.
• Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal emphasized the emotional significance of the issue.
• SAFMA is encouraged to advocate for improved visa arrangements with India and Pakistan.