Rehman Malik may visit India soon to discuss visa regime, cricketing ties

Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik is likely to visit India sometime in the next couple of weeks to discuss the implementation of the newly agreed visa regime between the two neighbours and ensuring security for Pakistan's national cricket team during its upcoming tour of India.

Malik's upcoming visit to New Delhi follows an invitation by his Indian counterpart Sushil Kumar Shinde during the Interpol general assembly meeting in Rome last week, reports The Express Tribune.

Malik confirmed the likelihood of his visit himself last week, but did not reveal a specific date. "New Delhi anxiously awaits the Pakistani Interior Minister's visit for implementing the new visa regime," said an Indian diplomat in Islamabad. He said Malik will also meet top officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for restarting cricketing ties between the two countries.

According to interior ministry officials, Malik will also discuss issues relating to those accused over the Mumbai attacks and the disputed power project New Delhi is constructing on the Neelum river at Gurez in Indian-Administered Kashmir. Other items on the agenda include three agreements signed in September, which seek to facilitate the trade mechanism between the two neighbours.

Malik will also discuss issues pertaining to Pakistani cricketers' security with authorities in India as well, especially in light of threats by Hindu radical groups in India. Last month, the Shiv Sena warned Pakistan players against visiting India.