Rivals focus on cultural exchange

Home ministry officials met for talks on Wednesday

Officials from India and Pakistan have held talks in Delhi as part of a series of meetings which have been taking place between the two sides.

Thursday's talks focused on so called friendly exchanges.

India wants Pakistan to allow its citizens greater access to Indian films and television programmes.

Both sides also discussed easing visa restrictions on each other's citizens in order to promote tourism, cultural and other peace-building links.

Correspondents say Pakistan does not allow Bollywood films to be screened in the country, despite their immense popularity.

The films are widely available on DVD, and some satellite channels.

On Wednesday, Indian and Pakistani home secretaries ended two days of talks with an agreement to exchange nearly 500 prisoners held by both sides.

Pakistan Home Secretary Syed Kamal Shah and his Indian counterpart, VK Duggal, also pledged to cooperate in fighting terrorism.

Pakistan and India began a wide-ranging peace process in January 2004.

Several rounds of talks have been held since then.

Although both sides have made some progress in improving travel and other ties between them, the core dispute over Kashmir still remains unresolved.