The newly appointed Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has indicated that Pakistan is considering the possibility of resuming trade with India.
Speaking at a press conference in London, Dar stated that the issue had been brought to his attention by Pakistani businesspersons last year and made it clear that any decision would be made following extensive consultations with all stakeholders.
In response to Dar's remarks, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while visiting Singapore, criticized Pakistan for its alleged support of terrorism at an "industry level."
He pressed the necessity for dialogue with Pakistan to address this pressing concern.
The trade relations between India and Pakistan have witnessed fluctuations in recent years. In 2019, following the Pulwama bombing in February and India's subsequent withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan, trade ties were strained.
Additionally, Pakistan suspended direct trade relations with India after India's Article 370 moves in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.
The closure of trade channels significantly impacted businesses and transporters operating at the Attari-Wagah land border.
In response to Dar's comments, the Amritsar-based Chamber of Commerce expressed optimism for a potential reconsideration of trade policies. They urged the Indian government to reciprocate positively.
While Dar highlighted the eagerness of the Pakistani business community to resume trade, he acknowledged the complexities surrounding the issue, including concerns over transportation costs and logistics.
The Ministry of External Affairs refrained from commenting on Dar's statements. Meanwhile, Jaishankar reiterated India's stance against terrorism and emphasised the need for honesty in addressing the issue during his visit to Singapore.
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