Expecting some movement on the proposed Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link after the meeting tomorrow between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistan counterpart Shaukat Aziz, New Delhi has been working quietly to ensure smooth implementation if the two sides settle differences over travel papers.A team from New Delhi, headed by Joint Secretary Alok Rawat in the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, is all set to inspect the proposed bus route on the Indian side once Aziz wraps up his visit.It’s learnt that India has already started resurfacing a 12 km-stretch on its side, closer to the LoC, which has not been in public use for the last few decades. More than half of the section has already been completed. Urusa, a place close to the Indian post of Kaman, has been identified for immigration and customs facilities. But the final selection will be done once the team from New Delhi visits the area.The other issue which remains to be resolved is the bridge over Jhelum which the bus will have to cross before entering Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. While the bridge has been under dispute, India is said to have made preparations for laying a temporary bridge as soon as both sides reach an understanding. Similarly, plans have also been drawn for demining the area within weeks of an agreement. On the issue of travel documents, sources said that while India would stick to its stand that passengers carry their passport, it may not insist on a visa stamp provided Islamabad agrees that passengers carry requisite immigration documents.While an agreement at the political level is needed for both sides to proceed further on these lines, much will depend on the outcome of the meeting between the two PMs tomorrow.Manmohan Singh called up Aziz to welcome him to New Delhi and External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh called on Aziz but did not go into specifics on any of the proposed CBMs.‘‘Both sides felt that the composite dialogue should continue to move forward and agreed to work for increased cooperation between India and Pakistan,’’ the MEA spokesperson said after Singh’s 45-minute meeting with Aziz.Travelling with Aziz are also some of Pakistan’s successful businessmen who will be meeting representatives from FICCI and CII. Aziz will also hold talks with Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar tomorrow before meeting Manmohan Singh. After his arrival today, he met former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Leader of Opposition L K Advani.
