Both the countries reiterated their commitment towards an early resumption of proposed Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service.
The first round of talks on Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service concluded with both the sides agreed to continue discussion at the next meeting to be held at mutually agreed dates.
A joint press statement issued at the conclusion of the two-day talks said ideas were exchanged on all aspects related to operationalisation of the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service. The talks were held in a frank, cordial and constructive atmosphere, the statement said.
"The first meeting between Pakistan and India on all issues related to the commencement of the bus service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar was held in New Delhi on December 7-8," the statement said.
Pakistani delegation was led by Jalil Abbas Jilani, Director General, (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Indian side was led by Alok Rawat, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways.
The Pakistan's delegation during the stay called on the secretary, department of road transport and highways of India.
To a question, leader of the Pakistani delegation told APP Special Correspondent here that during the talks Pakistan took position that since discussions are taking place regarding bus service for Line of Control, which is not an international border, that is why arrangements for crossing LoC would be different from that of border.
Pakistan cannot accept any arrangement, which would change the status of LoC without addressing the vexed issue of Kashmir, he said. He emphasised since LoC is meant for crossing Kashmiris, travelling arrangements should be considered in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Meanwhile, informed sources said Kashmiris did not want to travel through this bus service on the basis of passports and they demanded that travel should be on the basis of Resident Certificate, issued by the State administrations.
The sources said that the travelling permits, if issued by the respective high commissions of both the countries, would be like visa and make the process more cumbersome and difficult for the Kashmiris.
According to the international practice, the people of disputed areas do not use passports for crossing borders. For example, in case of Greece and Turkey, UNISYP peacekeeping force monitors the crossing of the people of disputed areas without passports, the sources said.
Likewise, between North Korea and South Korea, people do not use passports while crossing the border and Red Cross is the monitoring agency in this regard.
Leader of Pakistan's delegation when asked to comment on talks expressed that these were held in a constructive manner. A number of ideas were exchanged.
He also said Pakistan wanted to facilitate Kashmiris to travel on both the sides of Kashmir and would accept any arrangement that is acceptable to them.
Kashmiris who had so far travelled to either side, had to carry passport because they had to cross international border, not the Line of Control.
Kashmiri leaders, who recently visited New Delhi, while expressing their views about Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service, had said that they would travel and cross LoC only on the basis of permits not passports or visas.