New Delhi, Sep 19: Issues like increasing air connectivity and starting trade in petroleum products are expected to figure in the two-day Commerce Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan beginning tomorrow in Islamabad.
Commerce Secretary S R Rao is leading a 10-member official delegation to Islamabad to meet his Pakistani counterpart Munir Qureshi. The last commerce secretary level talks were held in November 2011 here.
During the meeting, which aims at further boosting the bilateral trade relations, other matters which may get prominence include trade in electricity and opening up of bank branches in each other’s country, an official said.
Both the sides may also sign the customs cooperation and redressal of trade-related grievances agreement, the official added. “The two sides would also deliberate on opening up of more trade routes like Khokhrapar-Munnabao to enhance bilateral trade, the official added.
Recently, India and Pakistan has inked a visa liberalization agreement to increase movement of businessmen and professionals between the two countries.
Both sides want to increase air connectivity between their countries, particularly, between New Delhi and Islamabad. India is also keen to export petrol and diesel through the land route to the neighboring country.
In power, New Delhi has expressed its desire to supply 500 MW electricity.
In a joint press statement in April after the meeting between the Commerce Ministers of both countries, the two sides had desired that discussions may continue at the official level for possibilities of opening more land customs stations for bilateral trade, which currently stands at around USD 3 billion.
Two way trade between India and Pakistan is estimated at around USD 3 billion.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST