Thursday, May 5 2005 18:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and Pakistan would have two-day technical level talks from May 10 in Lahore on launching Amritsar-Lahore bus service.

The two sides will also have second round of Defence Secretary level talks on Siachen on May 25-26 in Islamabad, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi today (May 5, 2005).

Officials of the Indian Coast Guards and Pakistan's Maritime Agency would be meeting for two day from May 10 in Islamabad, Sarna said.

The announcement of technical-level talks on Amritsar-Lahore service came on a day when the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, started on April 7, made its third trip.

The service between Amritsar and Lahore will be the second bus route between the two countries if opened.

The two countries, which have one train link between Amritsar and Lahore, will open the second train route between Khokhrapar (Rajasthan) and Munnabao (Sindh) in January next year.

After last month's talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the two countries announced fresh confidence-building measures including the decision to increase the frequency of bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and allow trucks to use this road to promote trade.

The two sides also agreed to open additional routes between Poonch and Rawalkot.