Indian Minister for Shipping and BJP leader, Shatrugan Sinha has said that the exchange of cultural delegations besides cricket matches have played an important role in bringing India and Pakistan closer to each other.
According to Radio Tehran, he said that the steps taken by Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf are praiseworthy which has helped the two countries to move forward for peace.
The present pleasant atmosphere between the two countries is the outcome of contacts and dialogue between the two countries, he added.
He further said that the "good feel factor" is visible and the enthusiasm, love, affection and pleasant atmosphere has created due to sports particularly cricket.
In view of the situation, it looks that our future is bright and we will come more close to each other, he added.
He further said that the people of the two countries are coming closer on the principle of live and let live.
The cricket matches and efforts being made by Vajpayee and Pervez Musharraf have also greatly contributed.
To a query regarding people to people contact, he said that he had been trying in his individual capacity for promoting contacts between the two people. He said that now the time has come to materialise this dream.
He also appreciated the contributions made by the Parliamentarians and termed it very positive.
He said, a Chinese proverb goes on, to say that first step is the beginning of thousands of miles long journey. Now many steps have been taken.
The people of the two countries want friendship, trust and trade between India and Pakistan.
He urged the people, elite, intellectuals and people belonging to art and culture to come forward for promoting contacts.
Answering to a question regarding visa relaxation, he said that people had to face much difficulty in setting visa in the past but the situation is better today as compared to the past.
He said that we with the help of India and Pakistani politicians, intellectuals and people hope to simplify the visa procedures so that more and more people could visit each other's country.
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