Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar today said, relaxation in visa norms was essential for improving trade relations between India and Pakistan. He was speaking at a function on India-Pakistan relationship in New Delhi.

Mr.Aiyar,however,held Pakistan responsible for delay in implementation of the liberalised visa regime.Pakistan, he said, has suggested that such an agreement should be signed by ministers and not at the secretary level.

Recently, at the Home Secretary level meeting between India and Pakistan, both the sides failed to ink the pact and merely agreed to do it at an early date after Islamabad insisted on political participation.

Mr.Aiyar also said trade should be backed up with mutual investments between the countries.Pakistani industry had expressed concerns that opening of trade with India will affect small units. Mr. Aiyar said India and Pakistan should consider doing trade in rupee. He also called for opening up of consulate in Karachi and completely open trade routes between Mumbai and Karachi.He pointed out that Indian goods are reaching Pakistan via UAE.

On political issues, Aiyar blamed Pakistan for not resolving the Siachen dispute.Recently, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had said India should take a bold initiative to resolve the Siachen dispute that has been lingering for 23 years on the world’s highest battleground.Mr. Aiyar said that Pakistan's continuous and healthy relationship with India would help them in reducing the role of army in the neighbouring country.