Rajeev Sharma
Tribune News ServiceNew Delhi, October 13
The devastating earthquake in Pakistan and parts of India has thrown the upcoming schedule of India-Pakistan talks on several bus services out of gear as both the neighbours are focussing squarely on rescue, relief and rehabilitation works.
India is all set to launch the next phase of its quake diplomacy when it sends 82 tonnes of quake relief material to Pakistan tomorrow, this time by train. The second consignment of relief supplies, which includes 5,000 blankets, 370 tents, five tonnes of plastic sheets and 12 tonnes of medicines, will be sent by train from here through the Attari-Wagah route.
Initially, the Indian Government thought of sending the relief material by the Delhi-Lahore Samjhauta Express, but by the time the necessary arrangements could be made it was too late. In fact, the Ministry of External Affairs even put up on its website briefing points by the spokesman saying that the second consignment would leave by train tonight.
By late evening, the ball was in the court of the Ministry of Railways and it was up to this ministry to decide whether it should send a special train to Pakistan or attach more bogies to the Samjhauta Express. The necessary clearance from Pakistan has already come.
Sending the second consignment by plane was out of question because it would have necessitated three sorties to ferry 82 tonnes of material, an unthinkable scenario in the context of Islamabad airport which is clogged with hectic traffic round the clock. In view of this, India suggested to send the relief material by train and Pakistan agreed.
