India Finally talking to Pakistan

Two day Commerce Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan would be held on Monday in New Delhi with special focus on boosting trade between the two countries. The trade and commerce officials of India and Pakistan would discuss issues related to trade and commerce on November 14 and 15, official sources said. Commerce Secretary Zafar Mehmood is leading a Pakistani delegation to negotiate with Indian commerce officials, various trade related issues and find out ways for boosting bilateral trade between the two countries. “The issues to be discussed in the meeting would include removal of non-tariff barriers, granting of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India and positive and negative lists for trade,” a commerce official told APP here Sunday. The Indian side would be led by Indian Secretary Commerce Rahul Kullar, the official said and expressed the hope that some tangible results are expected to come out of this crucial meeting in terms of enhancing trade between the two neighbouring countries. He said that both the countries were moving on positive direction as the Indian side has been supporting free access of Pakistani products to European Union Markets. While, on the other hand, the federal cabinet of Pakistan has also decided to approve granting the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to India. “These moves show positive trends towards boosting trade relations,” the official observed adding that both the sides are extremely optimistic about the positive outcome of the meeting. Sources said that other issues that may come up for discussion include progress on initiatives on trade of electricity, ways to substantially expand trade in all types of petroleum products and cooperation in Information Technology sector.