New Delhi: India on September 23 proposed to Pakistan an increase in the staff strength of the respective High Commissions by eight on a reciprocal basis.

The move proposes increase in the present level of 47 diplomats and personnel to 55, an External Affairs Ministry statement said.

Pakistan has also been informed that a visit by a team from Pakistan Indus Waters Commission to Baglihar Project in Jammu and Kashmir would be organised in October 2003 in response to a request from Islamabad for a site visit.

Official sources said both these steps have been taken to carry forward the April 18 initiative of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee extending a hand of friendship to Pakistan.

The staff strength of the High Commissions was reduced from the initial level of 110 to 47 after the December 13, 2001 attack on Parliament.

The sources said the increase in strength from the current level would take into view the stepped up demand for visas and travel on the Delhi-Lahore bus as well visits of delegations.

PTI