PAKISTAN STOP TERROR RESUME TRADE

 Trade cannot coexist with terror. Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar's recent remarks hinting at a possible revival of trade relations with India are divorced from reality. Rather than reflecting a genuine desire to mend bilateral relations, they seem to stem from the new political administration's desperation. Trade between the two nations has been at a standstill since August 2019, following Islamabad's decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with New Delhi in response to the revocation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir into two union territories—an internal matter of India. Pakistan must acknowledge the absurdity of severing trade ties over a domestic issue of its neighbor. Tying trade relations to the status of Kashmir is a grave error that Islamabad must rectify.

Moreover, addressing cross-border terrorism, which Pakistan has nurtured for decades, is paramount for normalizing bilateral relations. There's a growing global recognition of Pakistan's role as a hub for terrorism and its use of terrorism as a state policy to inflict harm on India. Islamabad must create an environment devoid of terror and hostility to pave the way for the resumption of trade relations and comprehensive dialogue, including discussions on Kashmir. The consideration of reviving trade ties with India coincides with Pakistan grappling with a deepening economic crisis and mounting pressure from its business community.While reducing tensions would benefit both countries, the responsibility lies with Pakistan to abandon its past policies and adopt a pragmatic approach to address bilateral issues. India has consistently maintained that trade and terrorism are incompatible and insists that Pakistan must take tangible steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and cease support to anti-India militant groups operating from its territory.Past attempts at serious negotiations, such as those under the Manmohan Singh government, demonstrated efforts to address trade-related issues. In 2012, members of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry visited Pakistan to negotiate mutually beneficial trade terms. Although the Asif Ali Zardari government expressed intent to grant Most Favored Nation status to India under WTO rules, the proposal was stymied by the Pakistan army. Given the trust deficit between Pakistan's rhetoric and actions, India awaits credible indications from the new administration regarding its commitment to bilateral dialogue. Dialogue cannot occur in isolation. Pakistan can only resume dialogue with India by dismantling terrorist groups that have become extrajudicial stakeholders in Islamabad's aspirations concerning Kashmir.