New Delhi: As part of its peace initiative with Pakistan, India today (Dec 31, 2003) announced ahead of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Summit four proposals, which includes holding of technical-level talks next month for bus links between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and Khokrapar in Rajasthan and Munabao in Sindh province.

India has also proposed a further increase in the staff strength of the respective High Commissions to 75 from the present 55, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters.

Besides, India has proposed removal of restrictions on reciprocal basis on the movement of respective High Commission personnel, imposed in the wake of the terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001.

Sarna said, under the proposals conveyed to the Pakistan Government both in New Delhi and through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, technical level talks could be held in the week beginning January 19 for the establishment of the bus link between Srinagar and Muzafarabad.

New Delhi has proposed technical level talks in the week beginning January 12 for the bus link between Munabao and Kokhrapar.

Sarna said, these proposals have been made "in continuation of the step-by-step process of normalisation of links and promotion of people-to-people contacts."