Amritsar, Dec 16

Indian and Pakistani Punjab's chief ministers, Parkash Singh Badal and Shahbaz Sharif respectively, Sunday agreed to boost cooperation, including through exchange of academicians, and people to people contacts between their two regions.

A joint statement said that both sides during their talks agreed "to promote cooperation for the common interest of peace, harmony, economic growth and leveraging each other's potential".

Both agreed to facilitate exchange of academicians, experts and researches; promote people to people contacts through sports, cultural and tourism activities; pursue policies for easy access for people of both sides to religious places of their respective faith; pursue policies to reduce trade barriers among other things.

Both the chief ministers resolved to pursue with their respective federal/union governments to facilitate enhanced cooperation and formulate supportive policies in this regard, the joint statement said.

Sharif visited India from Dec 13-15 on the invitation of Badal. 

By:IANS