India to restore cargo shipping services with Pak

The Indian government today decided to restore cargo shipping services with Pakistan after a gap of 35 years ahead of the foreign secretary level talks next month.

The union cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved a revised protocol between India and Pakistan that will allow lifting of cargo between the two nations by third-country vessels.

"We will also permit lifting of third-country cargo by India and Pakistani flag vessels from each others' ports, which is expected to enhance tonnage under both the flags and also result in competitive shipping rates," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said after the cabinet meeting.

The Shipping Protocol with Pakistan, a confidence building measure after the 1971 Indo-Pak War, barred lifting of cargo from ports of both the countries destined for other contracting states by third-country flag vessels.