PAK-QURESHI 2LST

Referring to the Mumbai attacks of November 2008, the
Pakistan Foreign Minister said the atmosphere was "vitiated"
in the aftermath of that incident and "India took a very
strong decision of suspending dialogue, which in my opinion
was perhaps not the right thing to do."
Qureshi stressed on the need to enhance trade relations
between the countries and within the SAARC region.
"I think there is a great potential of trade between
India and Pakistan. There is a great potential of trade within
the SAARC region," he said.
He said trade within the SAARC region has been limited
because the two big countries of the eight-nation grouping --
India and Pakistan -- have not been able to sort out there
issues over the years.
"If we can bridge the trust deficit, the whole
environment will change. Look at the potential of promoting
tourism between India and Pakistan if relations are normal,
friendly. Pakistan wants good neighbourly relations with
India," he said.
He said there are many Pakistanis who very keen to
travel to India.
"If our relations improve, we can liberalise visas, look
at the activities we generate, look at the spin off, the
commercial activities it will generate. I think it will build
confidence, it will improve people to people contacts and
relations," he said. PTI