Pakistan and India have finally agreed to start the eagerly awaited Kashmir bus service between Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir and Srinagar in the occupied territory, in a breakthrough for the peace process between the two countries. A very brief joint statement issued at the end of talks between Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and his Indian counterpart Kanwar Natwar Singh here on Wednesday expected to start the service from April 7 next.
The two ministers also "agreed between" themselves to start a bus service between Amritsar and Lahore, and also agreed religious places such as Nankana Saheb asking their officials to hammer out details in this context.
Indian External Affairs Secretary Shayam Saran later explained to journalists that "humanitarian considerations" for the divided families in Kashmir had motivated the decision, and was taken without "prejudice to the stands of either country on the status of Jammu and Kashmir."
He also said that the facility to travel by Kashmir Bus Service, though basically agreed to for visits by Kashmiris, would be available to all peoples of India and Pakistan.
The stumbling block of kind of travel documents holding back an agreement on the issue was knocked off when the two ministers met here over a working lunch, and decided to regulate the travel by "an entry permit system, once the identities are verified."
The statement was read out by Kasuri at his joint news conference at the Foreign Office soon after their meeting ended. It said that the application forms for travel will be made available with the "designated authorities in Muzaffarabad and Srinagar", but did not answer further questions in this context.
The Indian external affairs secretary, however, told a special briefing for the 30-strong media persons covering the visit, that as far as Srinagar was concerned these forms will be available with the Passport Office in that city, and expected that the similar arrangement will be made by Pakistan in Azad Kashmir.
Explaining the new mode of travel, Shayam Saran said that passengers holding a permit issued by one government will be exchanged at the crossing point for another similar document.
Although Kunwar Natwar Singh spoke of "movement" on other issues facing the two countries", Shayam Saran described the agreement on Kashmir Bus Service as the "high point" of Natwar Singh's current visit.
The Indian delegation had earlier met President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, and according to Saran, both had described it as a "major achievement", and expressed their satisfaction over the bus service.
Khurshid Kasuri, in his statement reviewing the ministerial talks, said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had instructed the Pakistan Railways to complete the restoration work on the rail-track to Khokhrapar.
Answering questions later, Shayam Saran said that Pakistan was to make the meter-gauge track to Khokhrapar serviceable to open the crossing point in the southern sector. The passengers will then walk over to the Indian railway point to continue their journey. The same mode will also be applicable to visitors coming from India, he said, adding that meanwhile, Pakistan was to install a broad-gauge track on the route.
The Indian official said that the travel between the two countries was increasing, and more facilities were required for the passengers from both sides.
Answering a question, Saran quoted the Indian high commissioner sitting by his side that his consular section had issued something like 10,000 visas per month during the last quarter.
He also told another questioner that New Delhi had not received a response from Pakistan on its proposal to designate five "meeting points" along the Line of Control in Kashmir to occasional visits by the families living on the either side. However, it was felt that an agreement on Kashmir Bus Service will overtake the Indian proposal.
COMPOSITE DIALOGUE: The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and India have agreed to "impart further momentum" to the current composite dialogue to its second round to seek solutions to all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir issue.
They also agreed to work for early convening of the 13th Saarc Summit and to open more opportunities for travel between the two countries, including bus service across the Line of Control in Kashmir.
Addressing a joint news conference immediately after their talks, Khurshid Kasuri and Natwar Singh expressed hope that a joint study group, headed by the Commerce Secretaries, in its meetings in New Delhi on February 23 and 24, would come up with recommendations which would be beneficial to both nations.
They said that they had discussed the questions of Siachen, opening of rail and road links between different cities, re-opening of consulates at Mumbai and Karachi, release of detained fishermen and other civilian prisoners and the Indian decision to treat the Iranian gas pipeline projects "as a stand alone project".
The Ministers also discussed the Baglihar and Kishanganga projects undertaken by India on upstream Chenab River, and Kasuri said he had impressed upon Natwar Singh for "their early resolution in accordance with the Indus Water Treaty".
On his part, Natwar Singh underlined the progress made by various Working Groups on several disputes, and added that the two countries had "come a long way over the past year" convincing him that co-operation between the two countries was "imperative".
The differences between the two countries, Natwar observed, were "only normal, given the complexity of our relationship", but impressed the need for finding ways to enhance trust and co-operation to address them "more productively".
After reading a brief announcement on an agreement on Kashmir Bus Service, Kasuri read out his own summation of the talks he had with his Indian counterpart. Natwar Singh then followed him.
Kasuri described his interaction with Singh as a useful exchange of views held in cordial, frank and positive atmosphere.
He said: "We had the opportunity to constructively review the status of our bilateral relations as well as the regional co-operation under Saarc. We have agreed to work together for the early convening of the 13th Saarc Summit.
"We have noted with satisfaction the overall improvements in atmospherics between the two countries. We have taken positive steps that augur well for the future of bilateral relations. We are strongly committed to carrying forward the Composite Dialogue process to make it productive and fruitful.
"We had discussions on the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir and have impressed upon the Indian government for an early and final settlement of the issue in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
"We discussed issues of peace & security. Pakistan expressed the hope that both countries will be able to move forward to promote strategic stability in South Asia.
"The Prime Minister of Pakistan has already instructed our Railway authorities to expedite the early operationalization of Khokhrapar-Munabao rail link.
"We hope that the Joint Study Group meeting at the level of the Commerce Secretaries to be held in New Delhi from 22-23 February 2005 will come up with recommendations which will be mutually beneficial to both countries.
"The Indian Government has agreed to lease a government-owned building and a plot of land in Mumbai for simultaneous opening of Pakistan's Consulate at Mumbai and Indian Consulate at Karachi.
"We held discussion on the Siachen issue. It was agreed to direct the Defence Secretaries of the two countries to discuss the issue in a friendly and co-operative manner. I hope that the issue will be resolved in accordance with the understanding reached earlier.
"The issue of detained fishermen and civilian prisoners is a humanitarian issue: We have agreed to work out a mechanism for their early release following summary procedure. Civilian prisoners and detained children who have completed their prison term may be released at an early date.
"We have noted with satisfaction the Indian decision to treat the gas pipeline project as a stand alone project. We hope for the early finalisation of an agreement.
"We also held discussions over the Baglihar and Kishanganga projects. I impressed upon my Indian counterpart for an early resolution of the issues in accordance with the Indus Water Treaty.
"We have taken note of the joint survey conducted by the two countries on the Horizontal segment of the Blue...dotted line in the Sir Creek area and express the hope that the issue would be resolved at an early date.
"The two sides have agreed to continue the Composite Dialogue process in positive spirit and for constructive results in addressing all issues including Jammu and Kashmir, Peace and Security, conventional and nuclear CBMs, trade and people-to-people contacts.
"The President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan have reiterated the invitation to Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience and Kanwar Natwar Singh has promised to discuss it with his Prime Minister on returning home".
In a separate statement read out at the joint news conference, the Indian External Affairs Minister reciprocated the same sentiments, saying that the talks were "extremely useful and intensive" review of the composite dialogue.
He said he had relayed to President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz the greetings and good wishes of the Prime Minister of India.
Pointing out that he had come to Pakistan for the first bilateral visit of the External Affairs Minister of India since 1989 "and that, too, at a stage in the present process between our two countries when significant positive developments have taken place over the past one year." At the same time, it was also felt that continued appropriate political interaction would inevitably impart further momentum to the process, he observed.
He said: "I am happy to be able to share with you that we have been able to take several significant further steps:
(i) We have agreed between us on mutually acceptable procedures for establishing a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.
(ii) We have also agreed to look at a pipeline through Pakistan, subject to satisfaction of our concerns related to security and assured supplies;
(iii) We have instructed our officials that in the forthcoming series of meetings between now and July, agreements be finalised on Pre-notification of Missile Tests, MoU between Indian Coastguards and Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency, and MoU between Narcotics Control Authorities;
(iv) We have agreed between us to start a bus service between Amritsar and Lahore, and also to agreed religious places such as Nankana Sahib and we have instructed our officials to immediately tie up the technical details;
(v) It was also agreed that discussion would be initiated on agreements on:
(a) Reducing Risk of Nuclear Accidents or Unauthorised Use of Nuclear Weapons;
(b) Preventing Incidents at Sea.
"We have agreed to consider further measures to alleviate the situation of civilian prisoners and apprehended fishermen. I impressed upon His Excellency the Foreign Minister of Pakistan the need to release the apprehended fishermen along with their boats, and to expedite their return.
"I also conveyed to my counterpart our readiness to start the Khokrapar-Munnabao rail link from October 2005, and requested Pakistan to expedite their own preparations. We are continuing with our efforts for early re-establishment of our respective Consulates General in Karachi and Mumbai.
"Both of us are looking forward to the first meeting of the Joint Study Group on Trade and Economic Co-operation at the level of Commerce Secretaries scheduled for February 22-23, 2005 in New Delhi.
"As you can see, we have come a long way over the past year or so. As I stated yesterday, I am convinced that co-operation between our two countries is not just a desirable objective; it is an imperative.
"My Visit has reinforced in me the determination to continue working for expanding co-operation and understanding between our two countries. The people of both our countries clearly desire it.
"No doubt, we have differences between us. This is only normal, given the history and complexity of our relationship. However, as leaders, it is incumbent upon us to find ways through which we can enhance trust and co-operation, so that the differences can be addressed more productively.
"Of course, the process can be sustained only in an atmosphere free from terrorism and violence, in the framework of implementation of commitment made on January 6, 2004.
"I have invited my colleague, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan to visit India to continue with these efforts. I look forward to welcoming him."
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