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India and Pakistan on Saturday held discussions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to find a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences. A joint statement issued after delegation-level held here, said Foreign Ministers S.M. Krishna and Hina Rabbani Khar reviewed existing Cross-Line of Control Confidence Building Measures and acknowledged that the ceasefire was holding since 2003. Both also reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken regarding travel and trade across the Line of Control in their last meeting in July 2011. They expressed satisfaction at the increasing number of people of Jammu and Kashmir who are able to avail of the facility to travel across LoC, and also at the growing Cross-LoC trade benefitting them on both sides of the LoC. Both also welcomed the enhancement of the number of days for conducting trade across LoC from two to four per week. Taking note of the recommendations made by the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Cross-LoC CBMs in their meeting in Islamabad on July 19, 2012, the ministers decided that cross-LoC travel would be expanded on both sides of LoC to include visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage; tourist and pilgrimage sites will be designated on both sides of the LoC and information will be available with the designated authorities; such visits will be conducted by designated tour operators in groups not exceeding 15 persons; permits for such visits will be single entry, non-extendable and valid for up to 15 days; travel for tourism or pilgrimage will be arranged between April and October; crossing for such visits will initially be from Chakothi-Uri and Rawalakot-Poonch points; both sides will facilitate speedy clearance of applications for travel across LoC. The process time should not be more than 45 days and both sides will extend necessary assistance to valid entry permit holders to cross the LoC in emergency situation on crossing as well as non-crossing days. Designated authorities will facilitate this, the joint statement said. On the issue of cross-LoC trade, the ministers agreed that both sides would respect a list of 21 products of permissible items; traders would have regular meetings every month; the designated authorities will resolve operational issues concerning cross-LoC trade through regular meetings; improvement of roads and bridges for cross-LoC trade will be facilitated; transportation links on operational crossing points will be upgraded and both sides agree to facilitate the exchange of business delegations. It was also agreed that the Joint Working Group on cross-LoC CBMs would meet on a bi-annual basis to review existing arrangements and suggest additional measures for better cross-LoC travel and trade.

India, Pak to build convergences on Kashmir issue