*LAHORE:* Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria on Fridaystressed the need for improvement in trade relations between the twoneighbouring nations.
Addressing an event at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI),the Indian envoy said traders on both sides of the border face visa issueswhich is among the reasons why the two sides have failed to actualise thepotential $30 billion trade mark estimated by the World Bank. The tradevolume through a third country is greater while direct trade between Indiaand Pakistan stands at only $2.2 billion, he noted.
The envoy stressed that the two sides will have to work together for apeaceful future, adding that poverty and illiteracy are common enemies ofboth nations.
Bisaria said that the policy of confrontation that has been going on forover 70 years has benefited no one and should be dropped in favour of onewhich is led by the large young population on both sides. He said that bothsides need to improve mutual ties. “People want to come together,” he said.“The issues [between India and Pakistan] are not such that cannot beresolved,” he added.
The diplomat also expressed hope that cricket between the two nations wouldresume as relations normalise, since citizens on both sides wantrestoration of bilateral games.
He highlighted the role of media in ties between the two nations and saidthat reporting that is far from the truth adds to the problems.
Bisaria’s statement comes at a time when relations between the two nuclearneighbours are at a low amid heightened tensions because of the latestincidents of harassment of Pakistani diplomats in India. A Pakistanidelegation is also currently visiting India to discuss water issues.