Friday, September 29 2006 12:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India yesterday (Sept 28,2006) said it favoured liberalisation of the bilateral visa regime with Pakistan but was awaiting details of a reported announcement by Islamabad about issuing visa on arrival (VOA) for Indians.

"We are awaiting details of this proposal," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here while reacting to reports quoting Pakistan's Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar that visas on arrival will be given to Indians and citizens of 23 other countries.

"We welcome all proposals for liberalising of visa regime between the two countries," Sarna said.

He pointed out that India has already notified visa on arrival scheme for Pakistanis aged below 12 years and above 65 years at Wagah/Attari border.

India has also given a detailed proposal for liberalisation of Visa Protocol of 1974 and is awaiting a response from Pakistan.

The proposal includes various options like easy availability of visas to certain categories of people and conduct of packaged tours to identified places through identified operators.

"Bhakhtiar said yesterday the VOA scheme, which was recently approved, would be implemented in two months. The scheme was aimed making Pakistan a tourist-friendly destination," she said.

She said the VOA period has also been extended from five to 15 days while visit visa would now be of one month duration instead of 15 days.