Breakthrough bus service begins through Kashmir

Pakistan and India agreed today to start a historic bus service between the capitals of divided Kashmir, the first direct link between the two sides of the Himalayan province that has been at the heart of decades of bloodshed.

The deal is a boost to peace talks that began early last year, and will be welcomed by thousands of Kasmiri families divided by the military line that splits the mountainous region.

The bus service, between Muzzafarabad on the Pakistani side and Srinigar on the Indian side, will start on April 7, according to a joint statement read out in Islamabad during a visit by Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri said travel would be granted by an “entry permit system” – rather than a passport – once the identities of travellers are verified.

“We have come a long way over the past year or so. I’m convinced that cooperation between our two countries is not just a desire and an objective, it is in today’s context, an imperative,” Singh said.

“The people of both countries clearly desire it.”

Also on the agenda were discussions about a €2bn 1,600-mile gas pipeline from Iran which has been delayed for years, mainly because of Indian security concerns over running the pipeline through Pakistani territory.

Singh said the two sides had agreed to look into the possibility of supporting the pipeline, providing Indian security concerns were considered.