India High Commissioner in Pakistan, Sharat Subharwal, has said that a breakthrough in bilateral relations between India and Pakistan is expected as both countries have decided to ease visa restrictions.
According to a statement issued by the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here on Tuesday, he said that an Indian delegation held successful talks with Pakistani counterparts in the Interior Ministry on June 2-3, and added that the next round has been scheduled in the beginning of August in New Delhi, which can be the start of a new era.
Speaking at a lunch hosted by FPCCI for out-going Commercial Counsellor Rajinder Kumar Sharma, Subharwal said: "We have reached the conclusion that bilateral trade is the best tool to melt the ice. It is the most effective Confidence Building Measure." He said that Pakistani trading community have long been pushing improved relations with India, but these positive efforts reached new heights during the era of president of FPCCI, Senator Ghulam Ali. He said: "We will continue to facilitate local business community with the aim to boost trade, which will be a win-win situation for both countries".
Earlier, in his address of welcome the President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that only enhanced trade could result in brotherhood between the two neighbours. He lauded the services of RK Sharma, saying that he tried his level best to bring the people of Pakistan and India together during his three-year stay in Pakistan. "His services will long be remembered," he added.
Ghulam Ali said that the business community would miss Sharma and hoped that his successor, Arvind Saxena, would also follow suit by forging close ties with local businesspersons. In his address, Sharma said that he would never forget the hospitality of Pakistanis. "I will be posted in New Delhi, but my heart will continue to beat with Pakistanis," he said, adding that his doors would always be open for all Pakistanis.
Rahul Kulshreshth, Deputy High Commissioner of India, said that they would try their level best to improve relations between peoples of the two countries. Sohail Hussain, Chairman of Media, FPCCI, said that efforts of business community would result in enhancing cordial trade relations that would help tens of millions of people in both countries living below the poverty line. Among others, Vice Presidents of FPCCI, Ghulam Farooq, Fazal Elahi, Dr Shehla Javed Akram, Hameed Akhtar Chadda, Raza Khan, Shahid ur Rehman, President RCCI Ali Raza, President ICCI and others were also present on the occasion.
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