New Delhi, March 10 :     In a clever mix of political rhetoric and optimism, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today outlined confidence-building measures in civilian areas, while reiterating India?s resolve not to make any compromise on Kashmir. ?While in Lahore, I was told about the death of 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir in the hands of militants. I took up the matter immediately with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. I told him that if such killings continue, it will be difficult to improve relations between the two countries,? Vajpayee told the Rajya Sabha this afternoon. He was speaking on the motion of thanks debate on the President?s address. But he took the opportunity to inform MPs about his meeting with Sharif and what his government intends to do to normalise ties with Pakistan. ?I am hopeful of a breakthrough in Indo-Pak relations,? he said, referring to his bus diplomacy. Outlining a number of confidence-building measures that will enhance contact between the people of the two countries and improve ties, Vajpayee said: ?We are hopeful of a solution. That is why we are relaxing the existing visa regime.? He said certain categories of people, like judges, scientists and musicians, need not report to the police while visiting each other?s country, and ordinary citizens will also find the visa procedure much simpler than in the past. He listed steps undertaken by the two governments to release fishermen and other civilian prisoners and said the existing visa restrictions will be liberalised so that tourists can visit more places in both countries. Vajpayee also spoke about the free flow of newspapers and journals between the two countries and a policy to desist from hostile and adverse publicity against each other on radio and television. Last month in Lahore, Vajpayee and Sharif announced a number of confidence-building measures on the nuclear and missile issues. Today, the Indian Prime Minister, by outlining the measures in the civilian areas, indicated his seriousness about normalising relations with Pakistan. Vajpayee hinted that if proper steps were taken by the two sides, the Kashmir issue will soon lose its pre-eminence in Indo-Pak relations. ?I can assure you that Kashmir will no longer be the focus in our bilateral relations,? he said. In an attempt to assure the Congress, the Prime Minister stressed that the basis of his dialogue with Sharif had been the Simla Agreement. ?We have not shifted from India?s position on this. We have only enhanced the spirit of the Simla Agreement. We have brought it out of the closet,? he said, claiming Pakistan has also promised to abide by it in ?letter and spirit?. Vajpayee said all issues between the two nations will be sorted out bilaterally, implying that the role of a third party in the dispute between the neighbours was unwanted. Referring to relations between India and China, the Prime Minister said after the Pokhran tests, relations had become strained, but the countries have been able to overcome those difficulties. He said the Joint Working Group meeting between Delhi and Beijing to discuss the border problem and other crucial issues will be held soon. Pak bus on Friday Furthering the bus diplomacy between the two countries, Islamabad is sending a bus here on Friday to continue the goodwill generated by Vajpayee?s journey across the Wagah border. Sources said that the bus would be carrying VIPs, artistes and public figures.