Thaindian News

By Sawinder Singh

Amritsar, Apr 29 (ANI): Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar, who returned after a two-day long secretary level talks with his Pakistani counterpart Zafar Mahmood, on Friday said Pakistan is inching ahead to bestow Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India.

He said the talks on the issue within Pakistan were at an advanced stage and that all the consultations would be complete by November.

Khullar, who walked home though the Attari border check post, said the talks with Pakistan Commerce Secretary Mahmood were held in a positive atmosphere.

“The mood was positive all around. We talk on all the issues and some important points including MFN status to India were discussed in detail and in a highly positive manner. The talks were not general, but on specific issues and more talks will be planned in the near future on the diverse issues of trade and commerce,” he said.

Khullar said he has invited his Pakistani counterpart to come to India in November, which he has readily accepted, so that all the talks are given a final shape.

He further said the Indian High Commission in Pakistan had arranged a dinner, which was attended by Pakistani businessmen in large numbers and all they wanted was good trade ties with India.

“We also discussed that Lahore-Amritsar trade ties were traditional and need to be strengthened more and with the integrated check post getting ready at Attari, the trade and commerce will be more strengthened,” said Khullar.”The trade will bounce back between the two countries. The improving trade ties would also work as a confidence building measures, which would further ensure peace and prosperity between the two countries,” he added.

Rahul Khullar and his Pakistani counterpart met in Islamabad on Wednesday to start the fifth round of Indo-Pak Commerce Secretary-level talks to further bilateral trade and economic relations through the composite dialogue process. (ANI)