Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that a biggest and most high profile gathering of India and Pakistani business people adopted Delhi declaration under the aegis of Aman ki Asha;

(b) if so, the main areas identified for fast track economic ties between the two countries; and

(c) the other steps suggested and adopted for better cooperation in different fields between the two countries?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (c) Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in co-operation with, the Times of India Group, the Jang group of Pakistan and Pakistan-India CEOs Business Forum had organised an “Indo-Pak Business Meet” on May 18-19, 2010 in New Delhi. Six sectors (Textiles, Information Technology, Agriculture, Healthcare, Energy and Education) were identified as having the highest potential for economic cooperation between the two countries. In addition to the promotion of bilateral trade, the business meet proposed that specific steps to be taken to change public perception and remove the existing mistrust. The meet proposed some specific steps like removing the restrictions on uplinking from India to Pakistan and opening up news channels in both countries, easing visa restrictions and allowing cell-phone roaming facility.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220116691.

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South Asia