ISLAMABAD, May 11: Pakistan and India agreed in principle on Wednesday to operate a new bus service between Amritsar and Lahore and another between the Sikh holy place of Nankana Sahib. However, a joint statement issued at the end of the first round of technical-level talks held to discuss modalities for operationalization of the Lahore-Amritsar bus service did not mention timings for starting the service, although it was widely expected in the wake of statements given by officials of the two sides a day earlier, claiming “progress” in their talks.

Pakistan’s additional secretary communications, Mohammad Abbas, and India’s joint secretary transport, Alok Rawat, headed their delegations at the talks held on May 10 and 11.

When asked at a press conference if India and Pakistan had failed to reach agreement on a date to start the bus service, Mr Abbas said the two sides had to agree to certain modalities before giving an exact date.

“In fact the date depends on the transport authorities of the two countries, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and from the Indian side the Punjab Road Ways. They will decide about the technical issues,” he said.

The head of the Indian delegation, Mr Rawat, said certain preliminaries had to be sorted out before the service could be started.

“When you start a bus you put fuel in the bus, switch on the starter, use the clutch to engage a gear and then start driving the vehicle. So, you can say that the starter has been put on,” said Mr Rawat.

Asked if the Lahore-Amritsar and the Nankana Sahib-Amritsar bus services would run simultaneously and if so from when, Mr Rawat simply said: “in the near future.”

The joint statement said the two sides had discussed the modalities for operationalisation of the Lahore-Amritsar bus service, including the designated route, bus terminals, facilities for the bus crew, modalities of visa arrangements and a protocol or MoU.

The next round of technical level talks would be held in New Delhi in two months, said the joint statement. It was agreed in principle to start the Amritsar-Nankana Sahib bus service, the statement said, adding that its modalities and frequency would be discussed in New Delhi meeting. The statement said the meeting was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere.