India presses for visa-free travel for Kartarpur pilgrims

'This corridor should be absolutely visa-free. There should not be any need for additional document and procedure so that the basic principle of smooth access of large number of pilgrims is allowed," SCL Das, joint secretary in the home ministry and leader of the Indian delegation said at Attari.

The government views were conveyed to the 20-member Pakistani team during the first round of talks on Kartarpur corridor at Attari.

Coming on the backdrop of post-Pulwama development, the meeting was held in a "cordial environment".

The second meeting will be held on April 2 and prior to that technical experts will meet on March 19 at the zero points.

Officials of the home ministry, external affairs minitry, Border Security Force, Defence, Punjab government and customs attended the deliberations from the Indian side.

The Pakistan delegation was led by Mohammad Faisal, DG of the country's foreign affairs ministry.

Both the sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement.

The two sides agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, a joint statement issued after the meeting said.

Image: UNI