New Delhi, Nov 15 (ANI): Top officials of Pakistan and India have vowed to "normalize trade" between the two countries, as high level talks began on Monday with an intention of improving the bilateral ties.
Commerce Secretary Zafar Mahmood and his Indian counterpart Rahul Khullar are holding two days of discussions in New Delhi aimed at doubling annual trade in the next three years to six billion dollars.
The visit followed the Pakistan Cabinet's decision on November 2 to grant "Most Favoured Nation" (MFN) status to India, reciprocating a move made by New Delhi in 1996, the Daily Times reports.
"The cabinet not only gave its full approval but also mandated the commerce ministry to achieve complete normalisation of trade" with India, Mahmood told the meeting in New Delhi.
The cabinet's decision was seen as a breakthrough in efforts to improve relations between the South Asian neighbours who have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947.
Mahmood said Pakistan "hopes to cover a lot of distance" in this week's talks.
"We will have interactions in the spirit of mutual cooperation and confidence so please have trust and faith in the process (as) times have changed and the world is coming closer," he said.
Khullar said India welcomed the MFN status that was intended to remove discriminatory higher pricing and duty tariffs that stand as barriers to exports between the South Asian neighbours. (ANI)
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