NEW DELHI, Jan 22: Asserting that India and Pakistan have “some way to go” before there can be normal trade ties, India today said enhancing trade and investments are “held hostage” to political issues between the two countries. Addressing a economic think-tank -ICRIER- Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said a business environment free from terror and violence has to be created to enhance trade ties. “Unfortunately, we seem to have some way to go before getting to the point of the one or of the other, or to the point where we can actually have a situation on the ground of normalised trade relations between Pakistan and India… “The exception, unfortunately, has been Pakistan, for a variety of reasons, much of it hostage to political issues between our two countries which are a legacy of our history and the tragic events surrounding partition,” Singh said. She also said Pakistan’s argument that there are strong non-tariff barriers in India do not stand up to close scrutiny. “… It can be no one’s serious argument that the lack of flight connections between Delhi and Lahore, the visa regime… Or India’s quality and safety certification procedures that are accepted around the world, are in some way aimed at creating a regime of non-tariff barriers against Pakistan-made-goods,” she said. The secretary said that both the sides should have to create a business environment free from terror and violence. “Trade and terrorism are incompatible. The challenge is to create an environment where we can focus on the trade and the economic agenda, and work towards growing connectivity and linkages between our two economies,” Singh added. Further, she said that political will is important to implement the required measures to boost trade and investment ties. “The desire is certainly there on both sides, especially at the business level…Pakistan is presently in the middle of its economic reforms and I am sure that economists in Pakistan fully understand the opportunities that are ready to be grasped and the additional policy space that will be created if Pakistan’s economy opens up for trade with the largest economy in the region,” Singh added. On the agreed roadmap to normalise trade relations, she said that India did not insist on reciprocity on the road map but Pakistan have to take the first step towards that direction. (AGENCIES)
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