Reality hits euphoria as Elahi brings up K-word

Elahi referred to the peace proposals floated by Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, and said it was now India8217;s turn to reciprocate.

Elahi also underlined the need for a fair balance of trade. 8216;8216;It should be a win-win situation for both the countries,8217;8217; he emphasised, the sub-text being that Pakistan8217;s exports should match India8217;s.

The session on Indo-Pak trade ties started more than an hour late, as Capt Amarinder Singh arrived almost an hour-and-a-half late, along with Elahi, the guest of honour.

The session started with CII8217;s Rakesh Bharti Mittal welcoming the guests in Punjabi. Elahi and Singh both called the language a great unifier.

Speaking in chaste Punjabi, Amarinder made a robust pitch for bringing down the Wagah barrier. 8216;8216;If Berlin Wall can fall, why can8217;t this barrier,8217;8217; he said, adding that people on both sides are keen for a union.

8216;8216;We didn8217;t ask them to arrange Elahi8217;s welcome, it was a spontaneous outpouring of love,8217;8217; he said, before citing a parallel from the Foord street in Lahore. 8216;8216;Some youngsters I met there said they8217;d heard a lot about the Amritsari fish, and if it weren8217;t for the border they would love to dine there.8217;8217;

Later, the two CMs promised to work jointly on research projects in the field of agriculture.