Moving forward on the composite dialogue process, India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged specific proposals on enhancing cultural ties and increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

"The talks were cordial and held in a friendly atmosphere," Union Culture Secretary Neena Ranjan, who led the Indian side, said after nearly two hours of talks with her Pakistani counterpart Syed Jalil Abbas.

The proposals pertained to cultural exchanges, liberalising visa regime for media personnel and increasing the number of religious sites open to visitors in both countries, sources said.

Speedy repatriation of Indian and Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen detained in each other's country also featured in the talks, they said. The parleys would conclude on Wednesday.

Abbas, who is the federal secretary for tourism, culture, religious minorities and youth affairs, stressed on the need for both sides to enhance cultural exchanges.

Ranjan said there were no differences of opinion on the issues taken up at the meeting.
 
The Pakistani delegation called on the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting S Jaipal Reddy.

A Pakistani delegation headed by its defence secretary will be in Delhi to discuss Siachen on August 5-6.