Badal, Sharif agree to boost cooperation between Punjabs

Indian and Pakistani Punjab`s chief ministers agreed to boost cooperation, including through exchange of academicians, and people to people contacts.

Amritsar: Indian and Pakistani Punjab`s chief ministers, Parkash Singh Badal and Shahbaz Sharif respectively, Sunday agreed to boost cooperation, including through exchange of academicians, and people to people contacts between their two regions.

A joint statement said that both sides during their talks agreed "to promote cooperation for the common interest of peace, harmony, economic growth and leveraging each other`s potential". Both agreed to facilitate exchange of academicians, experts and researches; promote people to people contacts through sports, cultural and tourism activities; pursue policies for easy access for people of both sides to religious places of their respective faith; pursue policies to reduce trade barriers among other things. Both the chief ministers resolved to pursue with their respective federal/union governments to facilitate enhanced cooperation and formulate supportive policies in this regard, the joint statement said. Sharif visited India from Dec 13-15 on the invitation of Badal.