Thursday, 17 February, 2005, 09:12 GMT
Historic Kashmir bus deal hailed
India and Pakistan's decision to launch a bus service across the ceasefire line dividing the disputed region of Kashmir has been largely welcomed.
Britain commended India and Pakistan for their "spirit of cooperation" in achieving the breakthrough.
Media reports in both countries describe the deal as a major step in the ongoing peace process.
The bus service was one of several announcements made after a meeting of the two foreign ministers on Wednesday.
"I warmly applaud the efforts of both India and Pakistan to make this happen," UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in a statement.
Kashmiri politicians on both sides of the Line of Control which divides the region welcomed the move.
"By agreeing to start the bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, India and Pakistan have made a beginning towards making Jammu and Kashmir a bridge between them," Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the ruling People's Democratic Party in Indian-administered Kashmir, said.
Opposition leader Omar Abdullah described it as "a sign of the flexible attitude of Delhi to find a lasting solution of the Kashmir issue".
The leader of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Sardar Sikandar Hayat welcomed the move describing it as a "breakthrough in resolving the core issue of Kashmir between India and Pakistan".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4272797.stm