India's desire to restore trade with Pakistan, where is the obstacle?

 Since the flood situation in Pakistan, India has been keen to restore trade ties and is waiting for a green signal from Islamabad.

Diplomatic sources told Urdu News that India wants trade ties between the two countries, which have been closed since August 2019, to be restored as it benefits both countries.

According to the sources, back channel communication between the two countries is ongoing, but concrete progress in this regard will come only when diplomatic relations are fully restored.

India revoked Kashmir's autonomous status in August 2019, in response to which Pakistan suspended trade with the neighboring country.

The two countries have since recalled their high commissioners and restricted diplomatic ties.

Diplomatic sources say that India's desire is more for goodwill than for commercial gain, as trade with Pakistan may give India only one percent of its total trade potential, but it will increase connectivity in the region.

On the other hand, last month, former federal finance minister Miftah Ismail said that trade with India is under consideration, at that time, tomatoes and onions should be imported.

He said that 'I will also talk to the Prime Minister about opening trade with India, the decision will take two to four days.'

 However, this could not happen

Earlier this year, Pakistan also appointed a Trade Minister at its High Commission in New Delhi. However, earlier this month, a foreign ministry spokesperson said that no plan was under consideration to import vegetables from India for the flood victims.

When contacted by Urdu News on Thursday, the Foreign Office refused to comment on the opening of trade with India.

According to defense sources, the establishment has no objection to restoring trade relations with India as it is in Pakistan's national interest. According to him, this is the time to develop together with the region and trade with India will also increase Pakistan's diplomatic influence.

He gave the example that despite the sharp differences between China and India and tension on the border, trade continued because it is in the interest of both countries.

Sources say that the restoration of trade will also benefit Pakistan economically because the governor of an Indian state has made a formal statement that he finds it cheaper to buy goods from the port of Karachi than from the port of Mumbai.

However, the restoration of trade-friendly relations is a political decision and will be done with a deliberate national consensus.

Speaking to Urdu News, Federal Minister of Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar said that the decision to import vegetables from India will be taken after consultation with all stakeholders.

He said that this decision has to be made politically and when it happens, it will be formally announced.

Currently, trade with India is suspended, but according to economic experts, trade between Pakistan and India has never stopped completely. The only difference is that the goods that used to come to Pakistan through the border between Pakistan and India now reach Pakistan through the United Arab Emirates, which is more expensive.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, between July 2021 and March 2022, India exported $0.0021 million worth of medicines, pharmaceutical goods and precious stones to Pakistan, and Pakistan exported $280 million to India during the same period, including chemicals and Medicines are at the top.