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Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the government is considering trade resumption with India as he highlighted the concerns of the business community.
It is worth mentioning that under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan made the decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with New Delhi and halt all bilateral trade in August 2019. This action was taken in response to India’s revocation of occupied Kashmir’s special status by repealing Article 370 of its constitution.
In March 2021, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) initially announced plans to permit the private sector to import 0.5 million tonnes of white sugar from India, along with cotton through the Wagah border. However, this decision was swiftly reversed following intense criticism from the opposition.
In December, former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif emphasized the importance of enhancing relations with Pakistan’s neighboring countries. He emphasized the need to mend ties with India and Afghanistan, while further strengthening connections with Iran and China.
During a press conference in London, ex-Finance Minister Dar condemned India’s actions in August 2019 as extreme and painful, highlighting the presence of United Nations Security Council resolutions addressing the ongoing dispute.
Despite this stance, the foreign minister acknowledged persistent appeals from the business community regarding trade relations with India. He mentioned discussions with stakeholders prior to presenting last year’s budget, where concerns were raised about the additional costs associated with imports routed through Dubai or Singapore.
The ex-finance minister emphasized the need for thorough consultation on the matter, expressing a willingness to explore potential solutions to facilitate economic activities and trade. However, he underscored the complexity of the issue, refraining from providing a definitive answer without proper deliberation.