India-Pakistan trade potential needs to be tapped: Envoy

Expresses hope relaxation in visa restrictions for businessmen will help increase trade

Amid uncertainty over Pakistan granting the most favoured nation (MFN)-status to India, Indian High Commissioner to the neighbouring country T C A Raghavan said bilateral trade was "sizeable", though there was a great potential that needs to be tapped.

Raghavan made the remarks when he called on Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who underlined the need for early resumption of the composite dialogue process.

Indian diplomatic sources said the meeting yesterday was a courtesy call.

Raghavan was quoted by state-run APP news agency as saying that though the volume of trade between the two sides was sizeable, there was a great potential that needs to be tapped.

The trend of shopping by Indians visiting Pakistan reflects the demand for Pakistani goods in India, he was quoted as saying.

Raghavan hoped the relaxation in visa restrictions for businesspersons of the two countries will help increase trade.

He further said there is appreciation in India for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's views on bilateral relations and a large number of people in both countries want better ties.

Dar said Pakistan wants good relations with India and early resumption of the composite dialogue to address outstanding issues.

"The government wants an early beginning of the composite dialogue process so that progress on all issues can be made between the two countries," Dar said.

Dar described the recent meeting between the Prime Ministers of two countries on the margins of the UN General Assembly as good.