before we go to the results of the talks, who are these people negotiating on pak’s behalf? why are army officers in military uniform doing such tasks?! are army officers qualified in any way to understand the complexities of trade and economy?
this is a picture from the talks showing some members of the pak delegation.
http://static.expressindia.com/pic/uploadedImages/mediumImages/M_Id_12589.jpg
India had proposed 14 items for export, out of which Pakistan has cancelled five — leather and leather products, juices and jams, copper and silver, tinned food and fabricated items like gold ornaments. The items that Islamabad has cleared for import are carpets, furniture, silk, Kashmiri fruits and spices, aromatic plants, dhania, moongi, Basmati rice and Kashmiri saffron. However, some of these are part of their sensitive list under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).
India, on its part, has accepted six of the 16 items proposed for export by Pakistan. While turning down Islamabad’s proposal to export spices, apples, walnuts, rice, paper and carpets, New Delhi is willing to import precious stones, namdas (a type of mattress originally from J&K), furniture, medicinal herbs, embroidered items and chilgozas.
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/230085.html
on the whole, it is good to see the LoC open up for trade, this is good for kashmiris who have had their native economy crumble with the rise of militancy and army presence.
