Pakistan, India set to resume trade talks in New Delhi

Eurasia News

NEW DELHI: The secretary-level trade talks between Pakistan and India are being held in New Delhi on Tuesday, which are likely to agree on fresh timelines for implementing a roadmap to remove bottlenecks in trade liberalization.

The two sides have signed three agreements for removing bottlenecks to facilitate bilateral trade but they are yet to be implemented.

The talks which are being held after a gap of 16 months will only maintain the momentum of talks as part of the composite dialogue process because substantive talks between the two countries will only be held after general elections in India as the current Lok Sabha will complete its constitutional term on May 31, 2014.

Meanwhile‚ Minister of State for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday to attend the SAARC Business Conclave starting on Friday. The minister is expected to meet his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the conclave.

The two ministers, after the secretary-level meeting, are likely to announce new timelines for continuation of trade liberalisation talks.