Peace process, piece by piece

Top diplomats from arch rivals India and Pakistan began talks on Tuesday for the first time in nearly a year in a bid to revive a peace process that was halted by deadly train bombings in Mumbai in July. The nuclear-armed neighbours launched peace moves in ’03 but are yet to make substantial progress towards a solution for a dispute over the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir. Here is a summary of progress made since April ’03

Ceasefire line

Despite differences over Kashmir, a truce has held there since November ’03 and the two sides have launched a so-called composite dialogue on a range of issues, including Kashmir.

Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf offered in December ’03 to set aside a longstanding demand to implement UN resolutions for both sides to withdraw troops and for Kashmiris to decide in a vote on whether to be part of India or Pakistan.

Diplomatic ties

As part of the peace process, India and Pakistan have increased the size of their diplomatic missions from 55 to 75 and removed travel restrictions on diplomats.
nIn October ’05, the two signed a pact to inform each other in advance about test flights of ballistic missiles. The countries have also set up a hotline to prevent nuclear misunderstandings.

Sports

In March ’04, the countries played their first full series in nearly 14 years after India lifted a ban on bilateral games, allowing its team to travel to Pakistan.

Transport links

Cross-border bus links were restored in July ’03 and in November both nations resumed air links and allowed overflights after a two-year suspension.
nIn January ’04, train links were restored and in April ’05, Kashmiris on either side of the LoC were allowed to visit each other on a first bus service in almost 60 years.

Trade

Pakistan and India signed a framework pact on a regional free-trade area in January ’04 under which India and Pakistan agreed to cut tariffs to between zero and 5% within 7 years of the start of the agreement.

Prisoner exchange

Pakistan and India have exchanged hundreds of prisoners, mostly fishermen and villagers, since the peace process began.

Energy co-operation

A decade-old Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline plan was revived and officials from the 3 nations met for two days in May ’06 to review progress on the $7bn project. It was postponed over disagreement on gas pricing mechanism.

Quake relief

Both nations set aside decades of hostility to provide aid to survivors of the October ’05 earthquake in Kashmir.

Unresolved issues
Talks on Siachen glacier, where thousands of troops are holed up in freezing temperatures, have failed as Pakistan refused India’s proposal that the existing bases and frontline be mapped and signed off before troop withdrawal.

Other unresolved issues include a dispute over the Wullar Barrage, Sir Creek boundary line, terrorism and drug trafficking, promotion of trade and friendly visits.