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The two day India-Pakistan talks on economic and commercial cooperation began here today as part of the ongoing Composite Dialogue between the two countries. Shri S.N.Menon, Commerce Secretary, Government of India, is leading the Indian delegation at the Secretary level talks, while the Pakistan delegation is headed by Mr. Syed Asif Shah, Acting Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan.
In his welcome address, Shri Menon said that under the Composite Dialogue, both sides would explore cooperation in the areas of mutual benefit like Civil Aviation, Shipping, Banking, and Petroleum & Natural gas. The exchange of technology and skills between the two countries would help enhance the quality of goods at relatively cheaper prices, he said. He welcomed the move of the Government of Pakistan to open the Wagah- Attari Land Route. “The Wagah- Attari LCS was notified by India in 1994 on the permanent basis for movement of goods by road and rail. We hope that Pakistan would consider opening of the same on permanent basis for a larger number of commodities. This has the potential for the creation of jobs by increasing ancilliary activities along these routes” Shri S.N. Menon said.
Mr. Syed Asif Shah noted that the two countries had initiated a process of de-escalating tension with a view to normalising bilateral relations and stressed that the Composite Dialogue of which the talks on economic and commercial Cooperation were an integral part, was an important step in this direction. He said Pakistan had consistently being exploring ways to increase its trade with India, as this would be beneficial for people of both the countries. In recent weeks, he said that Pakistan took the important decision to allow the import of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, live animals and halal meat from India via the land route of Wagah, which was followed by the inclusion of vaccines and medicines for the treatment of AIDS and Cancer in the list of items importable from India. The latest addition to this list had been the import of raw and refined sugar fro India through the land route, which was allowed last week.
Both the sides noted the quantum increase in the volume of trade between the two countries, which has reached the level of US $ 600.77 million in 2004-05.
The agenda of the two-day talks includes discussion on goods (expansion of positive list and transit routes); discussion on services (air, shipping, road and rail services as also financial services including insurance and banking); and roadmap for the Joint Study Group (JSG). The decision to constitute the JSG at Commerce Secretary level was taken at a bilateral meeting between Shri Kamal Nath, the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Humayun Akhtar Khan, the Commerce Minister of Pakistan in Islamabad in November 2004.
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