Kashmir bus talks postponed

No reason given for the delay

A crucial round of talks between India and Pakistan to discuss a proposed bus service between the two divided parts of Kashmir has been postponed.

The talks were due to begin on Thursday in Islamabad.

A statement by Pakistan's foreign ministry said the decision to postpone the talks had been taken after consultations with Delhi.

Peace talks between the nuclear-armed rivals began in February after a groundbreaking summit in Islamabad.

No fresh date has been announced for talks on the proposed bus service to link Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir with Muzaffarabad in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

According to the statement, fresh dates are to be fixed later through diplomatic channels.

This is the second time in less than a month that the meeting to discuss one of the most innovative peace proposals by India and Pakistan has been put off.

No official reason has been given for the decision, but correspondents say it underlines the diplomatic and political difficulties of starting such a bus service in the disputed region.

The two countries have fought two of their three wars over the region, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan.