In a sign of improving relations, India and Pakistan have announced plans to resume bus service between the rival nuclear nations.

The service was stopped when the countries severed air and ground links and mobilized troops following an attack by Islamic militants on the Indian Parliament in December 2001.

As part of the improving relations, Indian and Pakistani leaders have pledged to restore transportation services.

India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has offered to hold talks with Pakistan on Kashmir, the Himalayan region both sides claim, and other issues, in hopes of ending 56 years of enmity. The two nations have fought two wars over Kashmir.

Thousands of people use the bus service to visit their friends and relatives divided by the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The buses travel between India's capital New Delhi and the Pakistani city of Lahore.

On Friday, officials from both nations said they were ready to restart the service as early as July 1.

"It depends on how soon the crew on both sides get visa," A.J.S. Sahney, chairman of the Delhi Transport Corporation, said.

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