Jairam Ramesh, Indian Minister of State for Commerce hoped that trade between two parts of Kashmir was likely to begin in the first half of next year. The Indian daily The Hindu quoting the Minister in Srinagar said after truck movement through Wagah, I do not see any reason why the trans-LoC trade cannot start".
The list of agreed upon trading items has already been exchanged with Pakistan. Indian Ministry of External Affairs is waiting for a technical delegation from Pakistan, he said while inaugurating the Kashmir Handicraft Expo in Srinagar.
The Minister while referring to the US announcement that it would monitor export of products from India involving child and forced labour said there is a perception that in India child labour in handicraft production is on the rise. We need to take it seriously. The government was preparing a plan to rid the sector of child and forced labour, he added.
According to media reports, the trading items allowed by India to be imported from Pakistani side through LoC include precious stones, namdas (a type of mattress), furniture, medicinal herbs, embroidered items and Chilgozas. Indian side to export carpets, furniture, silk, Kashmiri fruits and spices, aromatic plants, dhania, moongi, Basmati rice and Kashmiri saffron.
The Indian departments of Revenue and Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) will take final decision on the finalised trade lists and modalities. It will then inform the Ministry of External Affairs for inclusion of the matter in the agenda for the next LoC meeting. A date for the next LoC meeting is yet to be finalised by both the countries, media reports added.