Journalists' free movement

It is heartening to note that India and Pakistan which had had rather restrictive visa policies insofar as movement of journalists between their two countries went, are now ready to relax their stance. Bangladesh could not claim to have followed a liberal visa policy either. The agreement on this point among the foreign ministers of the three countries, should therefore mean that the biggest hurdle has been crossed.

Relaxation of visa for journalists will certainly be a proactive move that will help achieve the goal for greater people-to-people contact. So it is expected that Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan will see it fit to allow visa-free movement of journalists in the region.

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Free flow of information and furtherance of people-to-people contact are intertwined goals of the Saarc undertaking. But the issue seems to receive attention only in formal meetings, or just articulated by journalist bodies, with very little being done at the field level to change things around. Everybody talks about the need for bridging the gaps between peoples of the region, but so far very little has happened in practical terms.

To tell the truth, visa restrictions have become worse in the recent times. Obviously, Saarc nations will have to follow in practice what they are preaching in theory. There are areas of concern and irritants that need to be addressed if we are to stave off misunderstanding and misgivings at the bilateral level.

Relaxation of visa for journalists will also be a step towards confidence-building among the nations. The Saarc countries will have to attain the required level of mutual trust and openness before the activities related to trade and commerce can pick up the desired momentum.

Let's hope a consensus on visa-free movement of journalists is reached in the retreat.