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| Pak can reap fruits from peace on LoC | | |
Early Times Report
jammu, Feb 2: When during the height of recent breezy border conflict between India and Pakistan the cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawalakot route was suspended it indicated that Islamabad was simply interested more in the political equation than trade and travel. Possibly Islamabad is unaware of the merits of increased trade and travel between the two sides otherwise it would have left it to the traders on both sides of the LoC to decide whether to continue the cross-LoC trade or not.
In fact there was no reason for Pakistan to suspend trade of Poonch-Rawalakot route when it had not suspended trading on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route. Since two Indian soldiers had been brutally killed by the Pak troops in Mendhar sector of Poonch, which had caused great grief and anger among the politicians and people in the country, it should have been left to India to decide whether it would keep the channels of cross-LoC trade open or block it. However, Pakistan took a unilateral decision without understanding that if the level of mistrust between the two sides had declined it was the result of reopening of trade links and increase in the level of people to people contact.
It is in this context the Indian Commerce Minister, Anand Sharma, has emphasised the importance of bilateral trade between India and Pakistan. He has said that maintaining peace was imperative for growth in trade and people to people contact. Sharma has stated that economic engagement between India and Pakistan can be enhanced in an environment of peace and stability, he has made it clear that it was for Pakistan to realize where the well being of its economy lies.
Despite repeated provocations by Pakistan India has not given any consideration to this matter in a negative sense. Referring to the killing of two Indian soldiers Sharma has said that what has happened is horrific, its unacceptable, highly provocative. And this is for Pakistan to realize that where the well being of the economy of the country lies. India believes that the economic engagement can be enhanced only in an environment of peace and stability and there was no other way forward for this region. Delhi wants Islamabad to take action against those who are responsible for brutal killing of Indian soldiers which would be in Pakistan's own interest, not only for bilateral relations but its global image as a responsible nation state.
Over the years Islamabad does not seem to have bothered by importing more than 6,000 items from various countries at exorbitant rates when the same, if imported from India, could help Pakistan to save several thousand crores of rupees that it wastes on importing even the India make goods from Dubai and other Islamic nations. That Pakistan is not keen to promote trade with India is indicated by the fact that Islamabad has not given the MFN status to India when the latter had granted it to the former over 25 years.
During the last 60 years whenever the level of conflict between India and Pakistan escalates it affects trade and level links between the two sides. Now that signs of de-escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan have become brighter one hopes Islamabad realises the importance of peace with its neighbour. Instead of indulging in needling India Pakistan needs to initiate steps for tackling the menace of terrorism that has bled the political and economic structure in Pakistan. Peace with India is in the interest of Pakistan as it would give enough time and resources to Islamabad to deal with terrorists and extremists on one hand and on the other help it in strengthening the very weak roots of democratic institutions. Now that trade links and people to people contact have been revived one would expect Pakistan to make it a permanent feature in the Indo-Pak ties.
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