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| Will Indo-Pak trade ties grow? | | |
O.P. Sharma
India has always wanted and worked for peaceful and purposeful good neighbourly
relationship with Pakistan for greater good of the peoples in the two nations. But Pakistan
out of its anti-India stance has been indulging in cross-border terrorism and deliberately
disturbing the Line of Control and even the International Border with India especially in
Jammu and Kashmir over the years. Pak rulers must have, by now, learnt the historical lessons
that it cannot brow-beat India which has been amply demonstrated over the past over six
decades.. The people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are tired of Pak aided and abetted terrorism
have given a befitting reply and are yearning for peace and accelerated socio-economic
development activities now.
Indian nation’s sentiments have recently been voiced by Indian Army Chief
General Bikram Singh that our troops have a right to respond appropriately in a befitting
measure on the border intrusions on the Line of Control (LoC) in any sector and asked the Pak
rulers to effectively contain the terrorists operating from their soil and also dismantle the
terror infrastructure still existing in Pakistan or Pak-held part of Jammu and Kashmir. The
real intentions of Pak rulers will be clear only after new Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief
takes courage in both his hands and punish the guilty perpetrators of the crime.
The Pakistan has to control terrorism and contain its operatives in the interest of
Pakistan itself as they pose potent potential for threats to unity and territorial integrity
of India but to Pakistan itself as also shattering its already crisis-ridden economy as well
as prestige in the comity of nations. What is the way out for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief in
this situation and scenario ? Lot of opportunities if sane anti-terror policies are followed
strictly by Pakistan.
The Indian Army chief has also made it clear that in Jammu and Kashmir there
should be no dilution of Armed Forces Special Act ( AFSPA) in view of the prevailing
security situation in the region. He cautioned that there may possibly be spillover of terror
elements into the Valley after the US withdrawal in Afghanisation. The danger from terrorist
elements from across the border still loom large. It is worth mentioning that the terrorists
made very recently intrusion bid in Krishna Ghati in Poonch sector area which has been
foiled by the alert Indian security . India plans to lodge a strong protest with the
Pakistan’s top military officers for this first major infiltration attempt by heavy armed
militants this year but has been ably frustrated by India.
The best option for Mr Nawaz Shrief is to grasp the hand of friendship and
co-operation offered by India. According to reliable media reports, India and PaKistan are
scheduled to hold high level parleys between Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and
Pakistan’s State Minister for Commerce and Textiles, Mr Khuram Dastagir Khan on Saturday,
January 18 at New Delhi to explore all possibilities of upgrading trade and commerce between
the two countries. Rightly the concerned Secretaries of the two nations will be holding
preliminary talks for setting agenda for talks between the two Ministers for better trade
between the two neighbouring countries, India and. Pakistna. These talks have been asked for
by the Pakistan authorities and India has agreed to it and so the parleys on January 18. But
India has made it clear that it is not resumption of composite dialogue process. These talks
may lead to some positive results. The bilateral trade between , India and Pakistan stood at
USD 2.6 billion during the year 2012-13 and certainly it can be raised to much higher levels
if sustained and serious efforts are made. There is vast scope which needs to be properly
explored and exploited. This is noteworthy that while India has accorded Pakistan the Most
Favoured Nation (MFN status) for trade and commerce but Pakistan so far has refrained from
taking this essential reciprocal step. It is expected that the two nations will rise to the
occasion and upgrade their trade and commerce for ushering in a new era of progress and
prosperity.
It is after a long period that the Ministers’ level talks are being held
between India and Pakistan. And it has raised expectations among the people in both the
countries. But particularly, the people in Jammu and Kashmir are deeply interested in good
results out of these Indo-Pak trade talks in New Delhi. The expectation is that these two
neighbours will go step by step working together for permanent peace, friendship and co-
operations for improved Indo-Pak relationship for the good of the peoples in both the
countries and the region.
For the permanent peace and mutual friendship, the two countries have to improve
situation on the borders, promote trade ties and step up frequent people to people contacts,
scale-up cultural exchanges and promote sport activities for overall mutual trust and
confidence. Civil societies and youth particularly on both sides must assert themselves to
open a new chapter in Indo-Pak relation of peaceful co-existence, more close co-operation and
scale up trade ties for bettering the lot of the common masses in both the countries. Will
Pakistan respond sincerely and positively to look ahead for a bright future in the regions ?
If yes, then certainly there will be a new era of peace, progress and prosperity in India
and Pakistan as also in the region..
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