India, Pakistan: New visa agreement

India and Pakistan signed the much anticipated liberalised visa agreement, introducing for the first time group tourist and pilgrim visas, separate visa for businessmen and visa on arrival for those over 65 years of age.

The agreement, signed between External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik, will replace a 38-year-old restrictive visa agreement and ensure time-bound visa approval and greater people to people contacts and will boost trade.

This agreement was signed in S.M. Krishna's Pak visit. 

APEC meet

Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member nations met in Vladivostok, Russia to discuss ways for regional development amid fragile world economic recovery. 
The meeting which focuses on trade and investment liberalization and regional economic integration, food security, supply chains and cooperation to foster innovative growth, is of the theme “Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper” .
With the 21 member nations, APEC accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the world’s population, around 57 per cent of world GDP and about 48 per cent of global trade.