Date:12/08/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/08/12/stories/2003081209461200.htm

National

India, Pak. exchange visas to replace staff

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 11. India and Pakistan today exchanged 36 visas to replace officers and staff who have completed tenures in their respective missions in Islamabad and New Delhi.

Ministry of External Affairs officials said 19 Indian personnel and 17 Pakistani staffers had their passports stamped and exchanged today as per an arrangement.

But the officials made it clear that the respective strengths of each of the two high Commissions remained static at 47 — the figure to which the missions were reduced after punitive action taken by New Delhi after the December 13, 2001, attack on Parliament House.

"These are replacements only and comprise a mix of officers and staff members," the officials added.