India, Pakistan agree to encourage greater trade through new Integrated Checkpost
Bringing cheer to the business community and people on both sides of the border and giving a major fillip to bilateral trade, India and Pakistan have agreed to draw a road map for allowing a whole spectrum of items for trade through the land route — Attari-Wagah. The products include pharmaceuticals and related products, cement, livestock, newsprint, petrochemicals, fabric and raw jute. At present, 150-odd items are allowed to be exported to Pakistan through the land route and by truck. After the pruning of the negative list by Pakistan last month, the number of items India could export has gone up to nearly 7,800.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, after Friday's talks between Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Pakistan Trade Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, both sides agreed to take all further action to encourage greater trade through the newly inaugurated Integrated Checkpost (ICP). “It was agreed that Pakistan will take necessary steps to remove extant restrictions on items permitted to be imported through the land route. The aim is to permit all items not in the Negative List to be traded across the land border at Attari-Wagah. The Pakistan side has stated that through a Cabinet decision in 2009, the flow of items is linked to provision of adequate infrastructure at the checkpost and it would take the case to the Cabinet on the basis of the additional capacity created through the new ICP.” This could possibly pave way for allowing cement import from Pakistan, and export of pharma products, an expanded list of fruits and vegetables, livestock, petrochemicals, petroleum products, raw jute and fabrics to and from Pakistan.
Adequate infrastructure
Noting that the Commerce Secretaries would meet in Islamabad in May, the statement said the new arrangements at the ICP would streamline movement of trucks across the border and significantly enhance the flow of trade through the land route. It was also noted that Pakistan had already built sufficient infrastructure at Wagah and was clearing all current cargo traffic.
The new infrastructure would enable a substantial increase in the movement of goods traffic across the border. Also, it would now be possible to conduct trade over longer hours during any working day. “The Pakistan side stated that through a Cabinet decision Ministers expressed the wish that discussions may continue at the official level for possibilities of opening more land customs stations between both countries. This would enhance greater economic engagement between business communities of both sides and deepen bilateral cooperation for mutual prosperity of their people,” the joint statement said.
Transition process
Both sides have expressed satisfaction that the transition process for complete normalisation of trading in goods and services, including investments, has started. There has been a substantial increase in the list of commodities permitted to be imported from India. As per the Pakistan Government's March 20 order, a Negative List of 1209 tariff lines has been announced. In accordance with the Pakistan Cabinet decision, complete phasing out of the Negative List by December 2012 is subject to further negotiations. Both sides have agreed that the modalities would be discussed at the next meeting of the Commerce Secretaries.
It's really a good decision to strengthen the Indo-Pak relationship. It
will prove to be beneficial for both the countries commoners too.
Besides all such issues,it is also necessary to improve the protection
of the Wagah border .
Wow....indeed, this is a begining of no end of one middle class from one country talking, trading, and sharing jokes with the same middle class of another country, divided by history. Yes, I call Md Jinnah, Pandit Nehru, RSS, Lord Mountbatten, 1948, 1965, 1971, Kargil a few dark chapters of HISTORY. Do we need to learn from our mistakes only? Can’t we learn from other's failure? Yes, its time to move on. A strong trade will build P2P network, reduce logistic pressure on both sides, and improve the lost cultural ties. Pakistan is a great country, so is India. We need their Onions; they need our Petrol/Diesel, the list goes on. Next step will be easing tourist visa and..... some day (not far away) visa-on-arrival. Best wishes to H'ble Minister Anand Sharma and H'ble Pakistan Trade Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim. But every reunion between lost families raises eyebrows/heartburn with some neighours and a few black sheep of the family. Insha’Allah be with us.
Mridul Dutta, Asst. Professor.
Long overdue and positive step. Trade and commerce should be de-linked from the so called disputes on boarder and historical mistrust. What is good and profitable for both countries should be encouraged. Pure business and economic consideration should be the sole motive for having international trade. Why should India, particularly neighboring states like Punjab and Rajastan import goods from far away countries or even bring from location far away within India, when these can be bought from across the boarder and it is cheaper ? That is true of Pakistan. Both countries should only consider what is good for their people.
Increasing Commerce between two countries is a welcome step. But our
Intelligence has to be stepped up along the borders with Pakistan and
China, so that another Kargil don't take place behind these encouraging
decisions.
This truck will be chalaaned by police in India?
Pakistan during recent years has been declared a failed state. lies one after another from Abbotabad and Bombay bombing have continued, as you have so often reported here. Why suddenly this hand shake because the West aint no more that close to them.With the instability, terrorism, corruption , and antogonism that prevails there, watch out or else India will in 20 years be in the deepest well never to surface again. Foolish to think of doing anything with across that border. From Istanbul.
This is an excellent development and consistent with Dr. Singh's vision of open borders for increased trade in the region. India has achieved this in the East through various initiatives with Bangladesh, which now has great potential to extend to Burma. This initiative with Pakistan is a step in the right direction. This will allow India to access markets into Afghanistan and Central Asia too. The slowdown in the World economies can be turned around, if India sells this vision to the US and Europe. Suddenly, markets of 2 billion and a 2 trillion plus purchasing power will do wonders. Leaders in both Countries must be complimented for this initiative, particularly the Civilian Government of Pakistan!
it is good news and i hope we have close ties in future i hope and pray that the sub continent can become one like before where hindus,muslims all lived side by side.if you read european history the french and english fought for years but totay they are in eu,why cant we people of sub continent live peacefully when we speak same language our customs are same we eat same food so on,
long live indo-pak
This border is a mistake, it is unnatural and it must be dismantled and thrown in the arabian sea.
The "Useful Idiots " whom lenin called are present in huge numbers in India. They talk about relations with Pakistan as though both are aggressors whereas the truth is that, it is Pakistan which sends terrorists across the border, have an active terrorist policy and the militancy has huge influence in Pakistan. Its the wrong time that India open its borders for trade with Pakistan. Now Pakistan will have our money (Military has the largest Businesses in Pakistan and their foot print larger than any other group) and will use against us. Next time when an attack happens we are left licking our wounds while Pakistani army goes laughing to the bank to take profits of this one-way trade. what is that Pakistan has to offer (markets joke and technology even silly).
Kashmir is like an elephant in the sitting room. Pakistan can never
forget it,nor will it allow India to forget it.That is the crux of the
Indo-Pakistan stand-off. Here's hoping!
A welcome step taken by both countries. Commerce is the best way to strengthening the fragile ties between India and Pakistan. Doing trade
is the best way spreading goodwill across the border. Stronger trade
ties will give a way to stronger cultural ties, eventually that will
help both countries to sort out standing issues.
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