Pakistan-India thaw: Commerce secretaries to meet soon
Indian envoy voices hope for better trade relations between the two countries.
ISLAMABAD:
Amidst improving trade relations, commerce secretaries of Pakistan and India are expected to meet soon, according to India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal. However, he would not say when the meeting would take place.
The two commerce secretaries were due in May – but the meeting was delayed after Islamabad pressed New Delhi for more trade concessions. It is likely that the meeting would take place next month, though no schedule has been officially announced.
In an interaction with journalists at an Iftar dinner hosted by the Indian envoy, Sabharwal said his country has allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) from Pakistan, while a new gate has been opened at Wagah border crossing point to facilitate bilateral trade.
The two countries, he said, have already taken a number of measures in liberalising visa issuance. He hoped Pakistan will soon be giving India the most-favoured nation (MFN) status.
The Indian foreign minister is due to visit Pakistan in September, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan, according to Sabharwal.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2012.
Amidst improving trade relations, commerce secretaries of Pakistan and India are expected to meet soon, according to India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal. However, he would not say when the meeting would take place.
The two commerce secretaries were due in May – but the meeting was delayed after Islamabad pressed New Delhi for more trade concessions. It is likely that the meeting would take place next month, though no schedule has been officially announced.
In an interaction with journalists at an Iftar dinner hosted by the Indian envoy, Sabharwal said his country has allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) from Pakistan, while a new gate has been opened at Wagah border crossing point to facilitate bilateral trade.
The two countries, he said, have already taken a number of measures in liberalising visa issuance. He hoped Pakistan will soon be giving India the most-favoured nation (MFN) status.
The Indian foreign minister is due to visit Pakistan in September, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan, according to Sabharwal.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2012.