'Prosperity of South Asia in India's own interest'

KARACHI: India regards the prosperity of the rest of South Asia as in its own interest, stated The High Commissioner of India Sharat Sabharwal on Wednesday.

The High Commissioner was addressing a gathering of businessmen at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He mentioned that India has started the construction of an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Wagah – Attari border and work on the project is estimated to be completed by April 2011. He said that the Check Post will have modern facilities, for trade and travel purposes between Pakistan and India.

He stated that the potential of trade between India and Pakistan is much larger than the annual trade of $ 2 billion approximately in recent years.

He said that in keeping with the provisions of the South Asian Free Trade Area Agreement (SAFTA), India follows an approach of a sensitive list towards all SAARC countries, including Pakistan.

The High Commissioner expressed hope that Pakistan would move to a sensitive list approach, in the matter of imports from India, as against the current approach of a positive list.

He expressed his faith in the ability of the business communities of India and Pakistan to create win-win situations that are to the advantage of both the countries.