NEW DELHI: Economic engagement can be carried forward in an environment of peace and stability and it is for Pakistan to realize where the well-being of its economy lies, commerce minister Anand Sharma said on Wednesday.
Sharma said the incident along the Line of Control was "horrific, unacceptable and highly provocative", but he did not announce any scrapping of trade ties or a pause in the trade dialogue.
India and Pakistan have made considerable progress in normalizing trade and economic relations. The two countries have held several rounds of discussions while Sharma has led a high profile business delegation to Pakistan. The two sides have also vowed to boost economic ties and Islamabad had promised to accord Most Favoured Nation status to India. Although it has missed the December deadline, expectations are that Pakistan will fulfil its promise shortly.
Pakistani trade minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim is expected to take part in a conference in Agra later this month. Officials say Pakistan is expected to announce full MFN status to India during his visit but the heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours has cast doubts on the trip.
"As of now, we have not given any consideration to this matter in a negative sense, because, yes what has happened is horrific, it is unacceptable, highly provocative," Sharma said. He added, "And this is for Pakistan to realize that where the well-being of the economies of the countries lies. Economic engagement can be enhanced in an environment of peace and stability and anything which undermines that environment is not conducive."
Sharma said economic engagement was the only way forward to peace and stability. "And there is no other way forward for this region. So it is for Pakistan to take action and hold those who are responsible for this horrific act not only accountable but to punish them. That would be in Pakistan's own interest, not only for bilateral relations but its global image as a responsible nation state," he added.
Pak commerce minister’s India visit under cloud
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Pak commerce minister’s India visit under cloud
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Pak commerce minister’s India visit under cloud
