"What India and Pakistan need is not more religion but more humanity. Yet, given that India-Pakistan relations are all about reciprocity, this is a a masterstroke," argues Shivam Vij in this article on the significance of one aspect of the latest joint statement between India and Pakistan. "India and Pakistan had signed an ‘protocol’ on pilgrimage visas in 1974, soon after the Bangladesh war. The two countries signed a new visa agreement in 2012, which has been only partially implemented. The 2012 agreement just laid down some rules for pilgrimage visas. "Now, it seems, Modi and Nawaz Sharif have agreed to do more for pilgrimage. We are likely to see more shrines added to the list on both sides, and perhaps the number of pilgrimage visas issued may go up. Greater religious tourism across this bloodied border will show more people how inter-twined the two countries are. The religious right in both countries will need to seal their lips. "This is great because it sends a subtle message to the religious right in both countries. Those who recklessly talk of war, and those who want to see jihadis exploding themselves in the other country, need to look at the shrines in both countries. Ajmer Sharif, the most important Sufi shrine in South Asia, will remain in India. Partition left behind the holiest shrines of the Sikhs in Pakistan. Nankana Sahib, where Guru Nanak was born, is a district 75 kms west of Lahore, alone has ten gurudwaras." Read more at: Boosting religious tourism: Why it's most important agreement from the Modi-Sharif meet - Firstpost http://bit.ly/1IS0Eas