New Delhi, June 2
India and Pakistan today explored bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas like arts and culture, ayurvedic and Unani medicine, media, archaeology and education, but stopped short of making specific announcements.
At the conclusion of the third round of Secretary-level talks within the framework of the composite dialogue, crucial issues like lifting ban on Indian films and television news channels and telecast of Pakistani plays on Indian channels remained unresolved.
The signal given by the Pakistani side was that Islamabad was not yet ready to lift the ban.
Pakistan, however, made a suo motu proposal to hold an art and cultural festival in Mohenjodaro. India agreed to
participate.
The two sides also agreed to hold mutual film festivals and provide a platform to the film industries of both countries to interact with each other. A formal announcement of India holding a Pakistan film festival and Pakistan hosting an Indian film festival has been held back, apparently for a more opportune occasion.
The Indian delegation was led by Mr Badal K. Das and the Pakistani by Mr Jalil Abbas. The Pakistan delegation called on Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni.
