Non-Obligation Visa Held by Pakistani Nationals Grants Border Crossing into India
Rewrapped: Let 'em In!
It's a dramatic change of pace at the seemingly endless border disputes between India and Pakistan as, on Monday, the Indian authorities allowed a WHOPPING 70 Pakistani nationals holding No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) visas to cross into our land through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari border.
Previously, due to the sordid Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that left 26 mostly tourists dead, Indian authorities had barred any Pakistani nationals from returning to our country13. But it appears that a sweet taste of family reunions, grave visits, or simply overdue homecomings awaited these 70 lucky individuals.
The reason for this sudden shift in policy? Well, these particular Pakistani nationals were granted NORI visas, bypassing the usual limitations. The NORI visa is meant for folks who have family ties in India but haven't yet earned the right to call this place their homeland4.
One such individual, a woman named Asma, had gone back to Pakistan two months ago to pay her respects to her parents. But, alas, the Centre's decision to revoke all visas issued to Pakistani nationals had left her stranded in Pakistan, unable to return home6. Now, with the grace of the Indian government, she'll finally get a chance to walk Indian soil once again after her two-month absence.
Asma expressed her heartfelt joy at the news, and we can't blame her. After all, there's nothing quite like the warm embrace of your homeland, no matter which side of the border you're coming from.
But, while this seems like a welcome respite for these travelers, let's not forget the broader diplomatic tensions that continue to simmer between India and Pakistan. It's a small olive branch in a vast, tense garden.
(Except for the headline and title, this story has not been edited by our website staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
- Sixty-seven Pakistani nationals, who were issued No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) visas, successfully crossed the border at Amritsar, marking a significant shift in India's stance on Pakistani travelers.
- Asma, a Pakistani woman, was elated to learn that she could return to India, having been stranded in Pakistan due to the revocation of visas for her nationality following the Pahalgam terror attack.
- The NORI visa, intended for individuals with Indian family ties, allowed these Pakistani travelers to bypass usual limitations and enter India, serving as a rare instance of cross-border cooperation amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics.
- Despite this modest act of easement, it is important to acknowledge the persistent diplomatic tensions that lie beneath the surface between India and Pakistan, where general news often paints a picture of strife and dispute.
