Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Thursday that he had initiated discussions with stakeholders regarding the potential revival of trade relations with India, signaling the government’s inclination towards reconciliation with its neighboring country.
Dar informed reporters at the Foreign Office that he had already commenced consultations with the business community to gauge their stance on the matter. Once consensus was reached within the business community, he expressed his intention to further engage with other relevant stakeholders.
He emphasized that any decision regarding the resumption of trade would be made following comprehensive input from all concerned parties.
Dar had previously hinted at the possibility of resuming trade ties with India during a press conference in London last month. Despite facing criticism for his remarks, Dar defended his stance on Thursday, citing feedback from businessmen who favored direct trade with India to reduce costs incurred through intermediary channels.
Trade relations between Islamabad and New Delhi were severed following India’s revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. Efforts to partially reopen trade in the past were met with challenges and setbacks, indicating the complexities involved in normalizing relations between the two nations.
Observers speculate that progress in trade or other bilateral ties may be contingent upon the outcome of India’s upcoming general elections, scheduled to take place over the next two months.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dar confirmed receiving an invitation from his Afghan counterpart to visit Kabul, highlighting the importance of engagement in resolving bilateral issues. Despite tensions over the presence of banned militant groups, Dar expressed willingness to visit Kabul pending approval from relevant authorities.
US Ambassador Donald Blome also met with Foreign Minister Dar to discuss recent regional developments. Ambassador Blome reiterated the United States’ commitment to collaborating with Pakistan to ensure prosperity and security in the region.
