The Hindu Business Line : India, Pakistan agree to enhance economic, commercial cooperation

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, with the Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf, making a joint statement at Hyderabad House in the Capital on Monday. - Kamal Narang

New Delhi , April 18

INDIA and Pakistan today agreed that enhanced economic and commercial cooperation would contribute to the well being of the people of the two countries and result in a higher level of prosperity for the region.

A joint statement issued at the end of the three-day visit of the Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf, said both the leaders agreed in their talks that they should increase road and rail links, revive a panel to promote trade and put in place more confidence-building measures.

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, with Gen. Musharraf by his side at the Hyderabad House here, read out the joint statement at a brief function.

While agreeing that the two economies of South Asia should work together for the greater prosperity of the region, the joint statement said the leaders decided to reactivate the Joint Economic Commission "as early as possible." They also agreed that the Joint Business Council should meet soon.

The leaders resolved to increase the frequency of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service that was inaugurated in April 7, and also decided that trucks would be allowed to use this route to promote trade. This is in line with the thinking that once people to people contact is smoothened, movement of goods and trade need to be facilitated on both sides which would help increase the volume of bilateral trade flows.

They also agreed to operationalise additional routes, including that between Poonch and Rawalakot, and looked forward to an early start of the bus service between Amritsar and Lahore and to religious places such as Nankana Sahib.

Trade sources told Business Line here that once the Amritsar-Lahore bus service is set off, which is to be followed by truck movement, bilateral trade would get a shot in the arm. They also said that the Consulates General of the two countries in Mumbai and Karachi, respectively, would be opened before the end of the current year, to enable visa formalities for people and businesses to be made without much hassles.

In another important development, it was agreed that the Ministers of Petroleum and Natural Gas would meet in May to explore cooperation in the sector, including on the issue of the pipeline gas project between India and Iran through Pakistan.

Both the leaders proclaimed, "The peace process was now irreversible," kindling hope that economic and commercial cooperation would see a renewed momentum.

The joint statement said that conscious of the historic opportunity created by the improved environment in relations and the overwhelming desire of the people of the two countries for durable peace and recognising their responsibility to continue to move forward, the two leaders had "substantive talks" on all issues.

In this spirit the two leaders addressed the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to continue these discussions in a sincere, purposeful and forward-looking manner for a final settlement.

The Pakistan President, while wrapping up his visit highlights at a breakfast meeting with select media persons here, said, "Our achievements on all issues are more than what I expected."

But on Kashmir, he said, "It will need a lot of time and wisdom to arrive at a settlement. Let us go step by step."

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