Travel within SAARC
A long-awaited facility that is in keeping with the SAARC's inner spirit seems to be in the works. South Asian countries on Wednesday, as reported from New Delhi, approved a proposal to exempt 19 categories of people from visa requirement. Simultaneously, a liberalised scheme has been agreed on in principle under which long-term multi-entry visa could be issued to journalists and business and sports persons on a selective basis.
Nothing could be more auspicious than feeling welcomed in the SAARC region consisting of eight countries including Afghanistan. Their peoples have a sense of belonging which needs to acquire a tangible forms through all kinds of contacts, exchanges of visits starting with professional people then evolving in other areas encompassing art and culture, science and technology and education and literature.
We are nowhere near the advanced state of no visa requirement within certain groups of countries like in the EU or ASEAN but that we have taken a modest step towards liberalisation is indeed good augury. Perhaps, a sign of shaking off some of the baggage of history and mutual deficits in trust. Building on this spirit we believe visa restrictions, particularly the overly cluttered procedures for visa application and its eventual issuance need to be simplified and applicant-friendly for the vast majority of people. That is the surest way of enhancing people to people contact which is the ultimate goal of cooperation within SAARC.
Right now the imperatives are to finalise, on an expeditious basis, the criteria and modalities of issuing visa stickers to 19 categories or granting long-term multiple entry visas to journalists, business people and sports persons. These should be strictly operated on a reciprocal and non-discriminatory basis. Then we move on from there to encompass other categories of people in laying new bridges of cooperation and understanding.
Comments