Gilani’s visit to improve ties: Indian envoy

ISLAMABAD, March 28: Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal on Monday said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's acceptance of invitation extended by his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to watch the cricket World Cup semi-final in Mohali was a great goodwill gesture which will help further improve relations between the two countries. "This will be an interesting match and an enjoyable game; the major diplomatic initiative will help bring the two countries together." Mr Sabharwal stated this while speaking to members of business community during his visit to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) office here. He said Pakistan had great potential for development and we should seek enhanced cooperation in various fields. "The improved relations will trigger pace of development in the two countries which will benefit everyone." President FPCCI Senator Haji Ghulam Ali highlighted some issues hindering bilateral trade with the visa restriction figuring prominently. He stressed the need to increase the number of delegations between Pakistan and India, adding we need enhanced trade to arrest widespread poverty. "There is a need for removing trade barriers among the Saarc nations," he added. Some importers and exporters raised quality and technical backup issues that they faced in business deals with their counterparts in India. In response, the Indian high commissioner assured them of full cooperation to resolve the issues. Tariq Sayeed, former president FPCCI and Saarc Chambers of Commerce and Industry, stressed the need for bringing peoples and business communities of both the countries together for mutual benefit. He demanded multiple visas for frequent travellers and a special category of visas for augmented technical cooperation.