Indian commerce minister, Kamal Nath on Monday said that Pakistan and India should bury their bitter past spanning over 57 years and go hand in hand to solve problems confronted by the people of the two countries. He counted poverty, employment, lacking of basic infrastructure and civic facilities, in particular, to support his point of view.
Nath was addressing as a chief guest at a reception held in his honour by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) at a local hotel.
He said that two nations have suffered a lot during the last 57 years due to the policy of confrontation of the governments in Islamabad and New Delhi and wanted an end to this policy to bring peace and stability in the region.
In his opinion, the responsibility of forcing Islamabad and New Delhi towards a policy of peace and understanding by shunning away the differences lies with the people of the two countries. He also wanted vibrant role from the trading community in bringing the two countries closer for peace and betterment of the region.
Nath opined that in next two decades, no one would talk about cooperation and understanding between Pakistan and India. According to him, rather that would be the time when everybody would talk about progress and growth of the South Asia, as a whole.
He said that the people of both India and Pakistan have great harmony and respect for each other and all forces should play their role to strengthen this people-to-people contact for establishing good relationship between the two countries.
President Indo-Pak Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ilyas Ahmed Bilour said that close relationship and cooperation between India and Pakistan was necessary for progress and prosperity of the two countries.
He said that India has accorded Pakistan status of most favoured nation (MFN) but its non-tariff barriers were making it next to possible for Pakistan to take its benefit and increase its export for New Delhi. He wanted India to implement its decision of granting MFN status to Pakistan in letter and spirit.
Bilour said the people of both India and Pakistan want solution of serious issues and problems, such as poverty, unemployment etc to ensure progress and prosperity in their countries.