Srinagar, Jan 23 (KNS) : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified India’s stance on trade relations with Pakistan, stating that it was Islamabad, not New Delhi, that decided to halt bilateral trade in 2019.
Speaking at a press conference in Washington D.C., Jaishankar emphasized, “We did not stop trading. Their administration made the decision in 2019 to not continue trading with us.”
He also highlighted India’s longstanding issue regarding the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWhile India extended this status to Pakistan, the gesture was never reciprocated. “Our concern from the beginning was that we should receive MFN status. We used to grant it to Pakistan, but they did not reciprocate,” he explained.
Jaishankar further noted the absence of any recent dialogue or initiatives on trade from either side. “There have been no discussions from our side regarding trade with Pakistan, nor have they taken any initiative in this regard,” he added. (KNS)