In order to understand and appreciate the due importance of resuming the bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad through Jhelum Valley Road, we need to place the whole issue in proper context. Historically Kashmir has been at the crossroad of civilizational, social and economic currents through different directions and passages. That is why it has had very close trade and cultural relations with places in China, Tibet, a number of cities in Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, not to speak of close connections with North and more particularly North Western Indian sub-continent. Of various passages, the Jhelum Valley road via Muzaffarabad has been the most important link that connected the Kashmir Valley with the rest of world for trade, people-to-people movement and exchange of cultural and social influences. The 1947 political development, resulting in the division of Indian sub-continent and de facto division of Jammu and Kashmir and the placement of its parts under the actual control of two different and hostile states, and the resultant hardening of borders, pushed the Valley to a number of social, psychological, political and economic disadvantages. One dimension of Kashmir issue is that Kashmir was pushed to a status of secluded periphery, in addition to emotional and psychological implications of the division of the people. From a position of being connected through a number of passages, it became practically dependent on a fair weather road that is less dependable and lengthier to connect people to the centers of trade and for other types of interaction. The disadvantages of political uncertainty and impact of the ongoing conflict on the place created its own disadvantages and problems of serious nature for the people of Kashmir.

Put in this context, the beginning of bus service in itself may not be big development. Nevertheless, it could be an important beginning in the right direction. This small step was possible because of the changing nature of Indo-Pak relations in a positive direction resulting from some vital local and international developments. In this process, the role of political turmoil through which Kashmir has undergone for the last about 15 years cannot be underestimated. It is because of this factor that Kashmir gained tremendous local and international concern.

The starting of bus on 7 April 2005 in itself is a small thing as it involves only a small number of passenger exchange in a month under the present schedule. But this is important because only some time back, it would have been impossible to imagine even this small development? happening. One also hopes that in the context of the changing character of Indo-Pak relations, the process is taken further and the J V Road becomes functional for frequent travel of people, removing the psychological barriers between two divided parts. It also needs to be combined with free flow of goods across the road. This development will have tremendous positive impact on the economy of the people as this route is tremendously advantageous for the transportation of goods and services to the outside world because of the relative advantages of security, distance and smoothness. Unlike the existing highly unreliable and fair weather road joining Kashmir with India via Banihal, "Srinagar-Muzzaffarabad road is considered to be one of the world's best mountainous routes." This will help restore Valley the lost centrality from its present status of relative seclusion. As per some estimates, if the road is opened for trade, fruit growers can save around Rs.30 per 20 Kg. apple box on account of freight alone. Compared to Bombay Port, where the Kashmiri traders presently take the goods, the Karachi port is about 1200 kms nearer to Kashmir. In short, by taking the products to Karachi Port the apple industry alone is expected to save "around Rs.1400 crore on freight alone." Hence allowing the trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route will make Kashmiri goods more competitive in the international market. Significantly Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his speech at the inaugural ceremony of the bus service hinted at opening of more roads and extending them from travel of people to vibrant trade activity across even to Central Asia.

However, one needs to keep in mind that the bus addresses only some dimensions of the Kashmir issue. The political dimensions of the issue of Kashmir need to be addressed through a process of dialogue at different levels; not only within and across the state but also between India and Pakistan. There is a hope that in the changed South Asian context, creative and imaginative solutions are possible. This is to be order of the future world that seems to be in offing and for which the European Union has provided an example.