After 63 years of separation, people from the two sides of the mountain region are reunited for a wedding between an Indian bride and a Pakistani groom. The two governments plan to improve the diplomatic situation to help such unions.

Muzaffarabad (AsiaNews) – After 63 years of separation and war, a wedding has symbolically reunited Kashmir, the mountain region split between India and Pakistan. Thanks to the road and bus service that reopened in December 2008, Ejaz Mir (from Pakistan) and Kounsar Jabeen (from India) were joined in wedlock.

The newlywed met on the bus in December 2008 when Kounsar travelled to Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistani-held Kashmir, to visit relatives. On her way, she met Ejaz and it was love at first sight.

The woman who is studying computer science in Srinagar said it was just the beginning. In an interview on her wedding day, she said, “It's not easy to get married as the culture and language is different. I took a bold step in deciding my life partner.”

For Ejaz, in taking this step he was able to marry the love of his life and fulfil his parent’s wishes—both were killed in the 2005 earthquake.

However, bride and groom had to contend with tight border controls along the highly militarised line of control. In order to perform the baraat (wedding procession), the groom had to travel to Carvan-e-Aman on a permit to reach Muzaffarabad and the bride had to drive down to the Wagah border and enter Muzaffarabad on a visa. Yet, the border has been open to trade between the two sides of the line of for more than a year.

An official on the Indian side acknowledged that whilst a lot of work has been done on economic issues, not much improvement has occurred for people. Still, a cross-border wedding will help simplify rules and facilitate interaction between the two sides.

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