Neighbours agree to dismantle trade barriers

Attari-Wagah Border: India and Pakistan are committed to dismantling all non-tariff barriers to boost bilateral trade and strengthen business and economic relations, commerce ministers of the two countries said Monday.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who Monday started his four-day visit to Pakistan, said the government of India was committed to strengthening bilateral business and economic relations with Pakistan.

"All barriers of trade will be dismantled," Sharma said in a joint media briefing with his Pakistani counterpart Makhdoom Mohammad Ameen Fahim after entering Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah road border crossing.

Sharma is leading the largest Indian business delegation to Pakistan comprising chief executives of more than 100 companies.

"There is an expressed wish and commitment from both the governments and among us to act and you will see during the course of this visit there will be new bonds of understanding to strengthen the relationship," Sharma, who also holds the ministry of textiles portfolio, said.