Kashmir Trade Route Reopens After 60 Years

India and Pakistan opened a trade route across divided Kashmir for the first time in 60 years yesterday, in an attempt to bring a peace dividend to the Himalayan region that in recent months has seen an upsurge of anti-Indian rioting and heavy firing between the two nations' troops.

In the past few years India has been reluctant to open the Kashmiri border, believing it would see an influx of Islamic militants from Pakistan. Indian Kashmir has been scarred by violent insurgency since 1989 and peace is kept by hundreds of thousands of soldiers. But the violence has fallen sharply since the nuclear-armed states began a peace process in 2004.

Yesterday, fruit, nuts and honey were transported from Indian Kashmir, while Pakistani Kashmiri traders sent rice and rock salt across the de facto border. Security was tight as hundreds gathered on both sides - symbolizing a wish for an end to the dispute that has led to three wars.

The lorries with their trade will be taking the same route as the bus service that links Srinagar, Indian Kashmir's summer capital, to Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistani Kashmir. The visiting traders are expected to drive just a few miles inside rival territory and unload, from where other resident drivers will take over. Trade will be limited to one day a week.

"It is a big leap forward," said Mubeen Shah, president of India's Kashmir chamber of commerce."We will be sending 11 truck-loads across the Line of Control."

The new administration of Pakistan has surprised many in India with its emphasis on building trust through trade. President Asif Zardari has said he wants to see Pakistani-stitched jeans and Pakistani cement sold in India. "There is no other economic survival for nations like us. We have to trade with our neighbors first," he said.