Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma arrived in Pakistan on Monday in an effort to take down trade barriers, share economic prosperity and facilitate people-to-people exchange.
Sharma, who was accompanied by Indian CEOs and officials, said the two countries aim to double bilateral trade in the next three years. He was received at the Wagah border by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is scheduled to hold talks with Sharma and address CEOs of Pakistan and India in Karachi and Islamabad.
“India is committed to taking its economic and trade relationship with Pakistan to a new level. I have come with an open mind and to achieve substantial progress in our talks. We are working hard on opening the second gate and an Integrated Customers Post (ICP) at the Wagah-Attari border and hope to finish it by April 30.
“The talks will help us in taking forward the process of establishing peace and trade. We will work towards deepening and diversifying the relationship,” the Indian minister told newsmen.
Without specifying, Sharma said they would talk on all key issues. “It is time for India and Pakistan to draw up a roadmap. We have been trading through third parties and the time has come to engage in direct trade.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2012.
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@Ahmer Ali: Kashmir is integral part for thousand of years and that is the reason my ancestors from Kanyakumari (bottom of India) went to Kashmir on pilgrim tour for ages and vice verse, so you please keep in mind that we will always keep the Kashmir as integral part of India...
@BlackJack: @manish: @Amit: Please keep it in your minds strongly and firmly that Kashmir has been and is never the integral part of India and Pakistan-India much the best,ever-lasting and permanent friendship is only based on the resolution of Kashmir issue because Pandit Jawahar Laal Nehru has been said in his historical speech in 1945 and in his golden and unforgettable words that Kashmiri people will decide about their fate on their own voluntarily means either they want to live with India or with Pakistan or want their own separate state.
@Rehman: W O W that is a great idea let them vent their venom in video games
When I go to market, my every rupee counts and I buy the goods which are best suited to me at most economical price, irrespective of cast, creed or religion of the seller. My every rupee counts to me. This is the power of trade and business exchanges across the borders and over generations. Trade is an activity where both trading parties gain. If you bring other factors, it is you only who will lose, the international trade will go on.
@Khurram Mansoor: How can you forget that to give self-determination right, Pakistan will also have to remove it's arm forces and terrorist camps from Pakistani occupied Kashmir? India will be more than happy see both sides of Kashmir as an independent nation.
@Ahmer Ali: How stupid one can be? Pakistan was not able to keep East and West Pakistan together and asking for Kashmir ? Why can't we just worry about Balochistan we have and try to save it?
The laptop warriors on both sides especially on Pakistani side ( I have the right to scold Pakistani kids because I am a pakistani) are requested to kindly engage in fights in other forums.
@Khurram Mansoor: Dude, dont forget that UN resolution asks troops to be retreat from both sides which we are not ready to do, and the population/ demography / social mix to be same as that of 1947 for the self determination. That means bringing back millions of hindus and buddhists who were there for thousands of years before muslims came till 1947, settle them, govern them and then ask for opinion. Since it is we who have disturbed this balance, i dont think we have any rights to call for UN.
This is a welcome news. This is the right path to take for the betterment of an average man in India and Pakistan. Kudos to all the people who are facilitating this.
@Khurram Mansoor: Agreed, per UN resolution pakistan should start by pulling out its troops frm PoK and only n only then will india be bound to carry out the plebicite. The ball is in pakistan's court.
If Indians had any shame they would keep out of Pakistan till action was taken on 26/11 incident.
Wonderful, strong Indo-Pak trade relations are the need of the day. We can live like responsible neighbours and friends. Lets knit our trading interests in such a way that people on both sides come closer and get benefit out of this relationship. It will certainly help us to promote peace in the region. Its the best recipe to beat the handful war mongering goofs on both sides.
@Ahmer Ali: Up to you dude - no major gains for India even if the paltry USD 1.4 bn trade doubles, but what this does is improve business-to-business and people-to-people contacts resulting in greater peace and stability (for both parties) in the long run. However, could not understand the significance of 1971 in relation to Kashmir - pray enlighten us.
Well... we should put all the burning & non burning issues at the back & look forward to a peace process with boost in economic ties with India. Its in the best interests of both the countries & specially Pakistan which is in economic doldrums...
@Amit
of course let the Kashmiris decide if they want to join you or us.
Give them the right of self determination and let them decide where they want to go.
and you keep living in eutopian land that you will keep on killing and it will go unabaited for ever.
@Ahmer Ali: Remember Pakistan said to fight for kashmir for 1000 years. Actually we Indians took that very seriously and since only 65 years passed. Pakistan will have to wait for 935 years more after which we will give Kashmir to Pakistan. GOD PROMISE ;)
Survival of Pakistan is in having trade with India & forget about other issues!
@Amit: They will keep on crying about kashmir and will keep on killing balooch.
now the core issue is human rights violation and freedom of Baluchistan.India and world must support the cause
@Ahmer Ali: for the time being just forget about that. care more about the economy bro.
@Ahmer, we will look into into it when you first hand over Pakistan occupied Kashmir to us :-). keep living in lala land.
And what about the most core,burning and hanged in balance since 1971 formally issue "Indian Occupied Kashmir"?