New Delhi: India and Pakistan will take a break from discussing big issues, such as Kashmir and Siachen, when Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar travels to Lahore tomorrow.
They will talk about local governance instead.
"The idea is to promote a better understanding between local governance institutions and grassroots activists of both countries. It's an important initiative," Aiyar said.
"Local governance systems are different in both countries. We can learn a lot from each other," he added.
A 60-member team of parliamentarians, academics and local body representatives is accompanying Aiyar to Lahore where they will attend a two-day symposium on the issue, which begins on Monday.
Enthusiasm
Daniyal Aziz, chairman of the National Reconstruction Bureau, who is organising the event, will represent Pakistan at the discussions.
Political uncertainty in Pakistan has not dampened India's enthusiasm for sustaining people-to-people diplomacy.
A 10-member youth delegation will travel to Lahore to promote goodwill and solidarity among youngsters of both countries.
It will be the first visit to Pakistan by an Indian minister since the nation was plunged into turmoil following the sacking of Chief Justice Mohammad Iftikhar Chaudhry in March.
Aiyar, a diplomat turned politician, has served as Indian consul-general in Karachi and was also spokesman for the external affairs ministry in the early '80s.
In December last year, India and Pakistan signed an agreement to set up a joint working group on local governance to encourage the adoption of appropriate practices by both countries.
