The ascendency of India as an economic world power

It is time for SAARC Summit. 14th SAARC Summit is going to take place in New Delhi this week. India has been seeking closer economic ties with Pakistan for many years. India wants MSN from Pakistani but Pakistani decision makers are not that much interested about it. There is no hope of a breakthrough in this regard during the 14th SAARC Summit.

Daily Times reported:

Pakistan is unlikely to grant ‘most favoured nation (MFN)’ status or other trade-related concessions to India under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) during the 14th SAARC summit in India on April 3-4, sources told Daily Times.

The sources said that although trade talks would be central to the summit, the dream of a free-trade area would continue to remain hostage to the rivalry between Pakistan and India for the foreseeable future, as Pakistan had made it clear that trade depended on the resolution of outstanding issues.

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When Daily Times asked an official about Pakistan’s obligations under SAFTA and its comparison with the signing of a free-trade agreement with China, he said, “No SAFTA and MFN status for India, as Pakistan would suffer. No comparison with the agreement signed with China, as it does not make things that can compel us culturally to buy. The Indians can use airwaves to change consumer patterns. Secondly, China is not a strategic competitor.”

So, India wants more trade while Pakistan wants solution to the outstanding political problems first. So, I cannot see any hope. Both India and Pakistan will have to come change their attitude and compromise and come to a middle point.