EAM Jaishankar Clarifies Pakistan Halted Trade with India in 2019
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Synopsis
In a press conference, EAM S. Jaishankar stated that Pakistan's government was responsible for stopping trade with India in 2019. He emphasized India's concerns over the Most Favoured Nation status and highlighted the strong trust between India and the US.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan ceased trade with India in 2019.
- India granted MFN status to Pakistan.
- No recent trade discussions have occurred.
- EAM Jaishankar highlighted strong India-US relations.
- Both nations are committed to global good.
Washington, Jan 23 (NationPress) In a recent statement concerning India's trade ties with Pakistan, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar emphasized that it was the Islamabad government that chose to cease trade with New Delhi in 2019.
During a press conference held in Washington DC on Wednesday (local time), he reiterated India's persistent concerns regarding the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, which India had granted to Pakistan but which Pakistan did not reciprocate.
"We did not halt trade. It was their administration that decided in 2019 to discontinue trading with us," Jaishankar remarked in his press statement.
"Our concern regarding this matter from the outset has been that we should receive MFN status. We consistently provided this status to Pakistan, but they failed to extend it to us," the EAM elaborated.
He pointed out that there have been no recent dialogues or initiatives regarding trade from either party, stating,
"Thus, neither have we engaged in trade discussions with Pakistan, nor have they taken any initiative from their side."
Focusing on India-US relations, EAM Jaishankar noted that both countries share a robust level of trust and alignment.
"We possess a very strong degree of trust today between India and the United States, with a high level of convergence in our interests," he said.
He also highlighted that both nations are committed to achieving global good while serving their national interests and enhancing their bilateral partnership.
"There is a recognition that while we fulfill our national interests and strengthen our bilateral partnership, particularly on regional and global matters, there is a significant amount of good we can accomplish together. This notion of global good was clearly reflected in our discussions," he noted.
"Regarding bilateral relations, this was the initial day of the administration, so we had a broad conversation without delving into specifics, but there was a mutual agreement that we need to be more daring, expansive, and ambitious," he continued.
EAM Jaishankar represented India at US President Donald Trump's inaugural ceremony. He also delivered a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Trump.
Trump was sworn in as the 47th US President on January 20.
