They have the will but doesn't seem to have an easy way. Sikhs in Pakistan are keen to marry off their children within the community in India but visa restrictions are posing as big hurdles.

According to president of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbanhak Committee (PSGPC), Bishan Singh many Pakistan-based Sikh families are keen to solemnise the marriage of their children with Indian families and vice versa.

''But practically it is very difficult nations due to the restricted visa system. Unless, both the governments open the international border people-to-people contact will remain a mere issue of talk and nothing else,'' Singh told PTI.

''I am camping here in the Golden Temple for the past two days and during my stay, many Indian families have expressed the wish for nuptial ties with Sikh families in Pakistan.

''Sikhs who have come with me from Pakistan were immensely happy with some proposals given by Indian families but were scared of the strict visa laws. It is very difficult for individuals to visit their neighbouring country since both the governments prefer to give visa to a group of people or delegation,'' he said.

He rued he could not come to India earlier but after the became PSGPC president, ''I was given a pilgrimage visa.''

Another member of PSGPC and head priest of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib (birth place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak), Rawail Singh, said many of his relatives live here but none could visit each other, not even at the time of deaths and marriages.

ndtv.com