Islamabad : India and Pakistan began two day-long trade talks on Wednesday, with hopes of inking energy deals and cajoling diplomatic ties between two less-than-trusting nuclear-armed neighbours.
The meeting started at 11.30 am at the Serena Hotel here.
India is likely to table an offer on exporting electricity and petroleum products to the energy-starved neighbour.
However, major breakthroughs are unlikely, said analysts, even as India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma hailed the talks as “positive development” with a focus on improving trade relations between the two countries.
“There is nothing specific on the agenda,” said a Pakistani official.
India’s Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar reached Pakistan on Tuesday for the talks -- the first in nearly three-and-a-half years -- with his Pakistani counterpart Zafar Mehmood. Officials on both sides hope that the talks will also boost the peace dialogue, resumed earlier this year.
The peace talks between the two countries over issues ranging from the disputed territory of Kahsmir, cross-border terrorism and water sharing, known as ‘composite dialogue’, were snapped following the 2008 Mumbai attacks based on Pakistan-based militants. IBNS
