Opinion 40 years ago November 17, 1985: Indo-Pak trade deals

This is the front page of The Indian Express published on November 17, 1985.

November 17, 2025 07:50 AM IST First published on: Nov 17, 2025 at 07:00 AM IST

India and Pakistan will seek to expand trade and economic relations through a number of proposals including joint ventures, resumption of private trade and participation in free trade zones of either country. Ideas and proposals on mutual cooperation were discussed by the visiting Pakistan Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs, Mahbub-ul-Haq, with Indian leaders. It was agreed that there should be at least one joint venture in each country, with both sides pooling their capital, experience and technology, as a “symbol of co-operation.”’

US, UK veto

Britain and the United States vetoed a Non-Aligned move to impose “mandatory, selective sanctions” against South Africa to make it comply with a United Nations independence plan for Namibia. France abstained while the remaining 12 members voted for the resolution. India, as chairman of the Non-Aligned, “profoundly regretted” the twin-veto which came after a three-day debate in which most speakers condemned Pretoria for having blocked Namibia’s independence for almost two decades.

Rift with Indonesia bridged

Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President Suharto of Indonesia held wide-ranging talks when the latter made a brief stopover in New Delhi. The talks reportedly bridged differences between the two countries over the Kampuchean issue. The talks with President Suharto assumed significance in the light of Mr Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Vietnam later this month. Both India and Indonesia have affirmed the common goal of creating conditions for self-determination of the Kampuchean people with all foreign elements on Kampuchean soil withdrawing.

UK minister quits

A British Minister known to be close to the Prime Minister resigned from the government in London in protest at the Anglo-Irish agreement giving Dublin a consultative role in the affairs of Northern Ireland. Ian Gow, 48, named the Treasury’s Minister of State two months ago, and formerly Mrs Thatcher’s parliamentary private secretary, said in his resignation letter, “I believe the change of policy in Northern Ireland will prolong and not diminish Ulster’s agony.”