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India and Pakistan have decided to start trade between divided Kashmir from October 21, 2008. This decision was taken in a meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries in Hotel Millennium Plaza, near the UN headquarters. Both the nations have decided to launch this trans-border trade on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot roads. These two roads actually connect the divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir across the line of control.
This initiative of trade between the two countries will mark the beginning of confidence building measures after about six months. Besides these, the two countries also agreed to open the Wagah-Attari road link and Khokrapar-Munabao rail route for better economic cooperation and people to people contact. Reports say that this matter will soon be discussed by the officials of both the countries to reach a consensus. Also, the matters regarding the functioning of Skardu-Kargil route will also be brought into the limelight.
The Zardari-Manmohan meeting also brought up different issues between the two countries including cross-border terrorism. Prime Minister Zardari assured Manmohan Singh that Pakistan will not allow the terrorists to use its territory in spreading insurgency in India. A statement from Pakistan's PM also assured that a joint meeting between the two countries will be organized to find out the culprits of the bombing of Indian embassy at Kabul. Appreciating Zadari's decision, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said that such measures will help both the countries to combat terrorism in an accomplished manner.
