Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The upward trend in trade between India and Pakistan is heartening. Delhi must build on it
When,a year and a half ago,Pakistan announced,in principle,that it would grant Most Favoured Nation status to India,it was believed to be a matter of time before this next step enhancing trade ties would be complete. It still is not. But while Pakistan is caught up in an election campaign,official assurances have been forthcoming that the process is moving apace and simply awaits the installation of the next civilian government in Islamabad. These signals yield a tangible optimism,one that rests on data of growing trade between the two countries. In 2012-13,Indias exports to Pakistan rose by 15 per cent,while imports were up by 30 per cent.
from India; it would also aid in Pakistans tax collections,as it would disincentivise the smuggling of these items into the country. That is,however,not to say that India would not benefit. It would,immensely. Dismantling the barriers to assist greater prosperity in Pakistan will help broadbase the constituency for bilateral cooperation in that country,a crucial step in winning peace in the subcontinent.
It is in Indias interest,therefore,to ignore the reflexive,though isolated,antagonism that prime-time TV talk shows thrive on and take unilateral measures to amp up trade ties.
