Indian High Commissioner, Dr. T.C.A. Raghavan, is on his two days visit to Peshawar from 22-23 April, 2015. He had a wide ranging interaction in Peshawar including meeting with Mr. Mehtab Ahmad Khan Abbasi, Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Senators, interaction with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce (KPCC), etc.

The High Commissioner of India made the following points at KPCC:

1. The High Commission of India in Islamabad has been making efforts to reach out to and regularly interact with the various Chambers of Commerce and Industry. High Commission has been following a liberalised business visa policy, with provision to issue long-term multiple-entry visa to businessmen involved in trade with India on a regular basis.

2. Our efforts are also focussed on implementing the road map agreed upon by the two countries in September 2012 for bilateral trade promotion. In this regard, the grant of MFN status by Pakistan to India is awaited.

3. Trade through Wagha-Attari need to be expanded with improvement in ease of doing business by various essential steps such as streamlining of customs procedures, harmonising standards, improving testing and quarantine facilities, etc. Extension of working hours at this border facility, enhanced staffing, laying facility at zero-point for B-2-B interactions without requirement for visa etc are also under active consideration by both sides.

4. India and Pakistan should behave like normal trading partners. Peace and security in Pakistan is important for economic growth of both Pakistan as well as India alike. Fears that enhanced trade with India would result in Indian goods flooding Pakistani market, rendering local traders out of business, is misplaced.

5. With a view to promote trade from Afghanistan, the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India announced on January 20, 2015 allowing Afghan trucks to go beyond Wagha to Attari. We are given to understand that Pakistan government, following the 5th round of APTTA meeting in January this year gave a commitment permitting Afghan trucks to reach Wagha. It would be in the interest of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India to further extend this facility to reach upto Attari, the way Pakistani trucks enter Attari.

6. India is willing to be associated with the extended APTTA linking it to Tajikistan, i.e. PATTTA (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan Trade and Transit Agreement). Opening of this transit route linking Central Asian countries through Afghanistan and Pakistan with India and possibly beyond would go a long way in enhancing intra-SAARC trade. This, along with SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA), would usher in significant improvement in trade environment in the sub-continent through enhanced passenger movement, creation of more trade, service and employment opportunities within Pakistan.

7. 138 items which Pakistani trucks can bring from Attari into Pakistan can also be extended to Afghan trucks. To this end, we believe that there is a clause of ‘National Treatment’ under APTTA granting all services and privileges to Afghan truck carriers also.

8. High Commission of India, Islamabad has started a practice of monthly/fortnightly video-conference with chambers of commerce and industries in Pakistan. This facility will now also be extended to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.