Hadauti residents look up to Pakistan PM’s visit with hopeful eyes

The residents of Hadauti region, who share roti-beti relationship (the practice of cross-border marriage) with the neighbouring country, are looking at Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif visit to India for Prime Minister Narendra Modi swearing-in function with hopeful eyes.

The diplomatic gesture has raised hopes of better relationship and relaxations in visa procurement rules for the people here so that they can often visit their relatives on the other side of the border.

Hadauti region has a long history of cross-border marriages with the Pakistan.

Several brides have their grooms from neighbouring country and vice-versa.

Asma Nasir, 42, a resident of Karachi in Pakistan, who was married to Nasir of Kota around two decades ago, told HT, “Expectations for friendly relations between India and Pakistan are building up due to the visit of Nawaz Sharif as they believe the diplomatic gesture would mean relaxation in visa (an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country) norms for the people of both countries.”

Asma, who has visited her parents in Karachi just six times since her marriage in Kota, due to stringent visa norms, said, “The normal relations between India and Pakistan could be achieved when cross border movement of the people from both the countries increases.”

Echoing similar voices, Pakistani resident Anila Begum married to one Azeemuddin of Bundi in 2007, said, “The tension between the two countries develops threats of disconnection of connectivity, therefore, any initiative for improvement in ties between the two countries is appreciable.”

The relatives of Indian brides in Hadauti region are also optimistic about the latest diplomatic developments.

One Raziya Zaidi, whose 3 nieces of Bundi has been married in Pakistan in last one decade, said, “Several persons of both the countries have cross-border relations, we therefore want betterment in the relations between India and Pakistan.

Raziya, who is also a Pakistani national married to Abdul Haneef Zaidi of Kota in 1978, said improvement in the bilateral relations will lead to relaxations in visa norms. Presently, only 1 month visa is granted which is insufficient; it should made to 3 months, she added.​