Pakistan affirms no alteration in trade policy towards India
Published on: March 28, 2024.
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Pakistan has reiterated that it has no plans to resume trade relations with India, which have been non-existent since 2019. This decision comes after India revoked Article 370 of the Constitution, thereby removing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s Foreign Office clarified its position, stating that there has been no change in its stance on the matter.
The clarification was made in response to recent comments by Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, who had expressed a willingness to consider restoring trade ties with India. However, the Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, emphasized that Pakistan’s position remains unchanged.
Since August 2019, when India suspended Article 370 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into centrally-administered Union Territories, trade relations between Pakistan and India have been suspended. Pakistan downgraded its ties with India following this move, as it believed that it undermined the possibility of diplomatic talks between the two nations.
It is important to note that Pakistan has consistently urged India to reverse its “unilateral” steps in Kashmir as a pre-condition for resuming talks. However, India has rejected this suggestion and maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country. India asserts that the constitutional measures taken by its government are internal matters focused on development and good governance.
The Indian government has maintained that it desires normal relations with Pakistan, but emphasizes that the responsibility lies with Islamabad to create an environment free from terrorism and hostility. India believes that this is necessary for any meaningful engagement between the two nations.
In conclusion, Pakistan has clarified that it has no plans to resume trade relations with India. The ongoing suspension of trade ties dates back to India’s revocation of Article 370 in 2019. Pakistan’s position remains unchanged, and it continues to stress the importance of India reversing its steps in Kashmir as a precondition for resuming talks.
Source : [Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com)
