Centre’s Samjhauta brief: Be pleasant, talk positive

But before the talks, the Government would hold an internal meeting with representatives from the ministries of Home Affairs, Railways, Defence and External Affairs. The meeting, to be held on December 9, will be headed by Executive Director (Traffic Transportation) Pradeep Bhatnagar and will discuss the security ramifications of resuming the train services again. All the modalities will be thrashed out in the preliminary meeting.

The only passenger train between the two countries — running between Amritsar and Lahore — was stopped after the December 2001 attack on Parliament. The air link between the two countries was also broken then.

When Pakistan agreed to re-establish the air link, India offered resuming Samjhauta Express. Sources said Pakistan had been more interested in resuming the passenger train but India had linked it with opening up of the air link. Moreover, India was keen to start freight trains and then Samjhauta Express.