India to propose increase in number of trading days with Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India has decided to propose to Pakistan to increase the number of trading days from two to four for cross-LoC (Line of Control in Kashmir) commerce besides multiple entry permits for six months for the people of held Jammu and Kashmir as part of confidence building measures, the Hindustan Times reported.

The decision to make the proposal was taken at high-level meeting convened by External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi recently attended by officials from the occupied Jammu and Kashmir Government and Home Ministry.

This has come ahead of the Indo-Pak foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi later this month.

During the meeting, it was agreed to propose to Pakistan, decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security in September 2008, which includes increasing of trading from the existing two days to four, a report quoted official sources as saying. Cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawalakote and Salamabad-Chakoti routes is conducted every Tuesday and Wednesday on barter system.

The two sides are also expected to discuss multiple-entry permits for residents of held Jammu and Kashmir valid for six months as the Cabinet Committee on Security gave in-principle approval for the same in 2008. These decisions were approved by the CCS in September 2008, but kept in cold storage after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

India may also press for introducing banking facilities for cross-LoC trade as volume of trade and benefit to trading community on either sides of LoC could not be worked out through barter system, sources said.

However, Pakistan has reservations over opening banking facilities for traders.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011