The success of the cross-LoC trade – despite a limited positive trade list and other logistical hiccups – has been reassuring over the years. Restoration of the trade has been pivotal in fulfilling an emotional craving of togetherness on both sides of the line. It has also been quite useful in forging economic ties that have contributed significantly in promoting political means over other ones in achieving political objectives. Importantly, the trade has proved economically viable to traders on both the sides, and there is a clear case for expansion of the positive list of items. What trade bodies on both sides of the LoC are saying today for expansion of the positive list merits consideration. There are, of course, certain issues that have the potential of overriding the larger bilateral trade relations between the two countries and thus getting log jammed in legal complications. However, within those limitations there is still a considerable scope of expansion of the positive list. And there is another issue which merits consideration – providing transit facilities to some of the products from Jammu & Kashmir to be exported to destinations beyond Pakistan. Understandably, in the past there has been a strong aversion in the policy establishments of New Delhi and Islamabad to these possibilities. However, the experience of cross-LoC trade amply demonstrates that facilitating freer and more expanded trade do produce rich political dividends. Such an approach not only helps in bridging psychological gaps in resolving more contentious issues across borders but also create favorable conditions in resolving pending issues in a peaceful manner. Expansion of trade items across the LoC would give a significant fillip to business environment in J&K – which is today seen in a state of economic revival, buoyed fundamentally by a large tourist influx. One of the spin offs of such an approach will be the creation of greater job opportunities for the state’s unemployed youth. And that is an outcome that is always highly desirable. 

Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST