India is willing to offer seats to Pakistani students in institutions of higher learning such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and management institutes, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] said on Monday.

He saw tremendous potential in Indian and Pakistani scientists working together in the field of bio-technology and attached great importance to promoting cooperation in the field of education.

The Musharraf Visit

Singh told Indian and Pakistani editors in New Delhi that he had mentioned this broadly to President Pervez Musharraf [Images] during their talks here but "he could not not do more in a meeting lasting only two hours".

Responding to a question about restrictions on the exchange of newspapers, books and magazines between the two countries, the Prime Minister said that in the age of Internet and communication revolution such restrictions made no sense.

When a Pakistani editor complained about the difificulties in journalists obtaining visas to visit India, Singh said that all irritants affecting people-to-people contact would be removed.

External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, who was present at the briefing, promised to have visa difficulties sorted out.