Hopes rise in Punjab for India-Pak trade and Kartarpur corridor after Mohan Bhagwat's statement
Hopes of resuming trade have been revived in Punjab after RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat advocated for promoting people-to-people contact and sports between the two countries.
New hopes have been stirred in Punjab following the statement regarding India-Pakistan relations made by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat during his visit to England. Bhagwat spoke of encouraging sports, cultural activities, and mutual interaction among ordinary people between the two nations.
Following this statement, hopes are being expressed in Punjab for the resumption of cross-border trade and increased activity through the Kartarpur corridor. Punjab's business, employment, and economy have directly depended on peace and trade with the neighboring country.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee undertook a bus journey from Delhi to Lahore in 1999 and signed the Lahore Declaration with then Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Despite the shock of the Kargil War, bilateral trade through the Attari-Wagah border continued for a long time.
During the years 2018-19, trade worth approximately Rs 2,470 crore took place through the Attari-Wagah border. At that time, cement, gypsum, dry fruits, dates, and rock salt came from Pakistan, while cotton yarn, fabric, plastic raw material, and vegetables were sent from India.
Due to this trade, thousands of people associated with transport, warehouses, freight forwarding, and wholesale trade in Amritsar and surrounding areas found employment.
Following the Pulwama attack in February 2019, India increased the custom duty on goods coming from Pakistan to 200 percent. Subsequently, in August 2019, Pakistan also halted bilateral trade, causing massive financial losses to traders and laborers in Punjab.
Key developments
- Mohan Bhagwat advocated for promoting India-Pak sports and cultural ties during his England visit
- Punjab traders hope for trade resumption via Attari-Wagah border
- Trade worth around Rs 2,470 crore used to happen through Attari border in 2018-19
- Bilateral trade was halted following the 2019 Pulwama attack and political tensions
