Indo-Pak talks to dwell on less tricky issues first

Sheikh Manzoor Ahmed in Lahore

Hopes of resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral talks on removal of irritants have brightened as Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League is eager to normalise relations.

Sharif, who will be sworn in as prime minister of Pakistan on February 17, has already announced his willingness to set aside for the present the more contentious issues and to take up the others for a resolution.

Muslim League sources say the talks, suspended in 1993, should be resumed at the foreign ministers level.

They stress the need for enhancing trade relations and to help build bridges of friendship and creation more contentious issues like Kashmir.

However, a League member made it clear that the Kahsmir issue is the main stumbling block in normalisation of the relations. There is national consensus on the issue , he said.

Another League supporter, Majibur Rehman Shami, a leading journalist, said there is ample scope to broaden trade ties. He said the Lahore Chamber of Commerce has already advocated a proposal to grant the most-favoured nation status to India.

He said both countries suffer due to the strict trade regime, which needs relaxation.

Shami said that the sugar imported from India is much cheaper which the country is acquiring from other nations. Similarly, there are so many commodities which India can buy on cheaper rates from Pakistan.

He also strongly advocated relaxation of visa rules. This would help greater exchanges at the people-to-people leave. He said if the dialogue at the people-to-people level continued it would work as a confidence-building measure.

Sharif's suggestion for a ''serious dialogue'' with India has been reciprocated by Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

The Indian prime minister has said that ''We fully cooperate with Islamabad on this issue. Let him first assume office and extend an official invitation.''

He said that India always wanted cordial and warm relations with Pakistan.

Sharif has said he does not want confrontation with India. He made it clear that his top priority after assuming office would be to improve the economy of the country, which is in a shambles.

UNI