Pakistan and India are two people, two nations and two ideologies and rulers in New Delhi should clearly understand that Pakistan is a reality. Pakistan is a nation state with developing economy and vibrant business opportunities with economic and friendly relations all over the world. The rulers in New Delhi do not understand it, but business community knows it well. According to newspaper reports, strained relations between the two countries could not affect the bilateral trade which soared even during the worst time of diplomatic relations.
Pointing out trade relations between Pakistan and India, Commerce Minister KhurramDastagiralso commented that both countries have shown maturity as trade remained unaffected during border tension.The bilateral trade is continuing through Karachi, Wagah and the Line of Control and the commerce ministry is also in contact with Afghanistan and Central Asian states to improve economic relations and transit trade. Pakistan has recently signed trade and transit agreements with Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Though Pak-Indian trade has been started through the Line of Control, the facility is not being fully utilized. Business is the base of relations between countries and if the both rival countries want economic wellbeing of their peoples, they have to enhance business relations as well as person to person contacts between the peoples of the two countries.
Pakistan’s leather industry is well established having a handsome share in the international market. Due to some religious constraints, India is far behind leather industry and Pakistan has good opportunity to grab the Indian market. There are several products which India can provide to Pakistan and Pakistan has lot to offer to Indian citizens.
The recent visit of Indian foreign secretary ended with no major breakthrough diplomatic front but this is what was expected of it. However, the two countries are moving toward normalization of relations and cooperation in economic fields. According to the Indian High Commission, bilateral trade between Pakistan and India has reached$2.4 billion and Islamabad is reaping more benefits than New Delhi in the bilateral trade.
According to the latest figures from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the bilateral trade recorded a net increase of $410 million from April last year to March this year.
On another note, the Pakistani exports to India have grown by 28 percent while Indian exports to Pakistan have increased by 19 percent. The time has come India should accept Pakistan as a reality and step in the friendly zone of Pakistan.
