It is an objective fact. But the people living there need to interact with each other, and as a special arrangement we have resorted to stapled visas to address the need of the local people to travel.. This is a gesture of goodwill and flexibility".

He added that the practice has been "going on for relatively long period of time and if acceptable to the Indian side it could be continued in future because it does not compromise or undermine our respective positions on the boundary question."

However, he added that both sides can hold further discussions on the subject and suggested that they could come up with a "more convenient visa provision" for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.