Statement: Should India restart the bus service with a neighbouring country that is alleged to be an epicentre of cross-border terrorism? Arguments: I. Yes. It can expand access to better healthcare, quality products, and business opportunities, ease tensions, and promote mutual harmony. II. No. The route can be misused for smuggling of fake currency, spurious drugs, and sophisticated arms. Select the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).

Introduction / Context:
Cross-border connectivity policies often involve a trade-off between economic/people-to-people gains and security risks. In Statement–Argument framing, two opposing, self-contained arguments can each be strong if both present valid, policy-relevant considerations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Potential benefits: trade, medical access, reduced hostility, social ties.
• Potential risks: smuggling, terrorism finance/logistics.

Concept / Approach:
Argument I is strong because it cites concrete public-interest benefits that such services commonly deliver, aligning with diplomacy and development goals. Argument II is also strong because security externalities are real and material; the possibility of illicit flows is directly relevant to the decision.

Step-by-Step Solution:
• Evaluate I: Presents legitimate gains from connectivity—health access, commerce, détente—hence strong.• Evaluate II: Presents legitimate harms—illicit trade, arms movement—hence strong.• Since both are independently strong but mutually pull in opposite directions, the appropriate choice is “either I or II is strong.”

Verification / Alternative check:
In practice, policymakers mitigate II (customs, passenger vetting, intel sharing) while pursuing I. But the exam’s logical framing treats the pro and con as separately strong.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Only I” or “Only II” ignores the competing but valid consideration; “neither” dismisses both public-interest and security logics.

Common Pitfalls:
Believing mutually conflicting arguments cannot both be strong; in policy analysis, they often can.

Final Answer:
Either I or II is strong.