New Delhi: India on May 26 decided to resume the snapped Delhi-Lahore bus service.

The government has also decided to release 70 Pakistani fishermen and 60 civilian prisoners presently in Indian custody.

These fishermen would be transferred as soon as Pakistan indicated that it is ready to accept them, the External Affairs Ministry announced on May 26 night.

It said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had emphasised the importance of people-to-people contacts for creating a conducive atmosphere in Indo-Pak relations.

"Accordingly, the government of India has today (May 26) approved the resumption of the Delhi-Lahore bus service, on twice a week basis, as soon as details have been worked out by the technical authorities of the two countries," the Ministry said in a statement.

"The government of India has also decided to release 70 Pakistani fishermen and 60 civilian prisoners presently in Indian custody. They would be transferred as soon as Pakistan has indicated that it is ready to accept them," it said.

PTI