Top Indian commerce official arrives in Pakistan for trade talks

Indian Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for talks to boost economic engagement between the two nations, officials said.


Khullar will lead in the Indian delegation in official talks in Islamabad on April 27 and 28. The Indian Commerce Secretary arrived via Wagah border near the eastern city of Lahore, and did not talk to media on his arrival.


Pakistani Commerce Secretary Zafar Mehmood will lead his country's delegation.


The trade talks were suspended in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.


This is the second high-level interaction between the two countries after the resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue on all comprehensive bilateral issues.


Both countries resumed formal talks and Home Secretaries of the two countries met in New Delhi on March 28 and 29. The talks were termed "extremely positive" and in the right direction.


The Home Secretaries meeting was followed by an informal meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of India- Pakistan cricket World Cup semi-final match in Mohali.


For the upcoming commercial talks, sources said there is no set agenda and officials said that the meeting would try to discuss key outstanding issues affecting bilateral trade and is expected to give boost to trade across the borders.


Bilateral trade is only about 2 billion U.S. dollars due to lack of trade ties marred by poor relations between the two countries. The trade balance is mostly in favor of India and Pakistan has been complaining of non-tariff barriers by New Delhi.


Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tuesday met Pakistan's Commerce Minister, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, and discussed the upcoming talks.


Reports say that India has offered to provide cheaper fuel to Pakistan and the issue may be discussed at the two-day talks.
(Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com)