India is the biggest country in South Asia, but it has been refusing to hold talks with Pakistan on economy, peace and stability in this region since the Bharatiya Janata Party government came into power. The Indian government has various excusesto avoid peace talks one of which is the Kashmir issue. As a result, mistrust and unwanted hostilities between the two countries are on the rise. Though the trade between the two neighbouring countries has been improvingand has reached $3 billion last year – which is far less than its potential — both the countries are losing billions of rupees revenuesin terms of customs duties and taxes due to thriving illegal trade. It is unfortunate that the Indian leadership is adamant and incorrigible, not willing to change its settled position at the cost of business, trade and investment. Pakistan is technologically advance country and both the countries as it has one of the advanced nuclear programme, is emerging as a potential manufacturer of fighter aircraft and as well has the developed IT industry. Both the countries can benefit from each other’s experience.
The two countries are interlinked through rail road network for being located in the same region. India can enhance its trade with central Asian states and beyond by establishing cordial relations with Pakistan whereas Pakistan can help India get access to Afghanistan and the other central Asian states. According to a study by the World Bank, Pakistan has the potential to enhance its trade with India by more than 200 percent once the bottlenecks are removed. On another note, India will be able to send its cargo containers to Europe at fast speed to Europe and other parts of the world by road instead of sea. Pakistan is willing to become gateway to regional trade and hub of economic development.
India has started making efforts to get access to Afghanistan through Iranian port city of Chabahar and import oil and gas from Iran. India has also signed a border agreement with Bangladesh, removing stumbling blocks in the way of relations between the two countries. If India coordinateswith Pakistan and China and find its share in the huge infrastructure planin the region, the fate of this region will be changed. Kashmir is the core issue between Pakistan and India and its resolution is a must to move forward. India can enjoy concessions extended by Pakistan, but no nation takes steps which are conflicting to its national interests. Therefore, India has to change its mind for economy and regional security.
