According to reports published in newspapers, India allowed the reopening of Cross-Line of Control (Cross-LOC) trade after about sixty years. Which of the following routes across the Line of Control was opened for this trade?

Introduction / Context:
The Line of Control is the de facto border between Indian administered and Pakistan administered regions in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. For many decades, movement and trade across this line were heavily restricted due to political and security tensions. When India and Pakistan agreed to reopen certain routes for cross border trade and travel, it was seen as a confidence building measure. This question asks which specific route was opened when cross Line of Control trade resumed after about sixty years.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• India allowed Cross-LOC trade after a gap of approximately sixty years.
• The question is about the route used for this trade.
• Options include Srinagar – Muzaffarabad, Kolkata – Dhaka, Varanasi – Kathmandu, and Imphal – Yangon.
• We must pick the route that directly crosses the Line of Control in the Kashmir region.

Concept / Approach:
Among the options, Srinagar – Muzaffarabad is the route that connects the capital of Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir with a major city in Pakistan administered territory across the Line of Control. Kolkata – Dhaka connects India and Bangladesh, Varanasi – Kathmandu connects India and Nepal, and Imphal – Yangon links India and Myanmar. These latter routes are international border connections but not Line of Control crossings. Therefore, logically, the reopened Cross-LOC trade route was Srinagar – Muzaffarabad.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is about Cross-LOC trade, specifically referring to the Line of Control in the Kashmir region. Step 2: Recall that Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir on the Indian side and Muzaffarabad is a major city on the Pakistan administered side. Step 3: Recognise that a bus service and trade route between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad across the Line of Control was reopened as a confidence building step. Step 4: Compare with other options, noting that Kolkata – Dhaka, Varanasi – Kathmandu, and Imphal – Yangon are international routes but not linked to the Line of Control. Step 5: Conclude that Srinagar – Muzaffarabad is the correct Cross-LOC trade route mentioned.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can double check by recalling news about bus services and trade across the Line of Control. The Srinagar – Muzaffarabad bus and trade route received significant attention as it reconnected divided families and allowed limited trade in goods. Other cross border routes like Kolkata – Dhaka have their own history but belong to different geopolitical contexts, not to the Line of Control in Kashmir.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kolkata – Dhaka is a route between India and Bangladesh and does not cross the Line of Control. Varanasi – Kathmandu connects India and Nepal, and Imphal – Yangon links India and Myanmar. None of these involve the specific India Pakistan Line of Control in the Jammu and Kashmir region, which is the focus of the question. Therefore, they cannot be the correct answer to a Cross-LOC trade question.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may confuse Line of Control routes with other cross border connections in South Asia because of the similar wording of international routes. Another pitfall is not distinguishing between regular international borders and the special status of the Line of Control. Remembering that Srinagar – Muzaffarabad refers specifically to a connection across the Line of Control helps avoid mixing up these different routes.

Final Answer:
The Cross-LOC trade route opened after about sixty years was Srinagar – Muzaffarabad.