He was responding to the queries of media on his arrival at Karachi Airport here Tuesday from Lahore. He said that Pakistan and India were negotiating to promote banking channels between the two countries. "Our Central Banks are giving final touches to the draft for establishing banking channels. India's thinking is clear that we will definitely open branches of our banks in Pakistan", he vowed.
Referring to trade talks, the Minister said that he and Pakistani Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim had held several meetings since April this year, when Indian Commerce Secretary met his Pakistani counterpart in Islamabad.
"Then Makhdoom Amin Fahim visited India on our invitation in September and we agreed on several matters and decided to promote our economic relations and bring in more depth in these relations".
"This is our belief that there is no better way than economic engagements to promote relations between India and Pakistan for bringing in prosperity and expand trade, industry and employment", he noted.
Sharma said that it was a necessity that Pakistan and India must work closely for creating trust among each other and also for the South Asia and SAARC region. "We hope that after the visit of Indian Commerce Minister who is leading large delegation of Commerce and Industry officials and over 120 businessmen who are talking to captains of Pakistani industry, these relations will be grow with faster speed.
This is quite an evident from the meetings held with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Pakistan Business Council that the desire for promoting trade was on both sides. We believe that promotion of business relations between India and Pakistan will not only benefit our two countries but also benefit the other countries in South Asian region.
Responding to a question regarding water dispute between Pakistan and India, the minister said that there are other countries with decade old disputes are also doing trade and investment.
He said that India was talking to China despite territorial dispute with China which is, in fact, the largest trading partner of India.
"When we can talk to China and other countries, we must talk to Pakistan which is our neighbor and with whom we enjoy several commonalities not only language, but our music, food, attire are the same. Why we should not expand our trade with each other. This approach is not right in my mind. How countries economic will benefit without economic engagements, he questioned.
He was of the opinion that two big countries in the region can work together to benefit their people. Though India is economically developed, the economic challenges are the same like Pakistan. Lot of people are still living in poverty in India and lot of children needed education. If resources will be mobilized through economic activities, these can be used for development in rural areas, children and healthcare, he observed.
Referring to water dispute, the Minister said that India and Pakistan have Indus Water Treaty to resolve water issues. He said that water issues are also arising between estates within India. Leaders are resolving water issues through negotiations which is the right way to resolve issues, he noted.
Sharma said that India has offered to develop infrastructure and starting trade from Munabao-Khokrapar border like Attari-Wagah. I will once again raise this issue with Pakistani Commerce Minister and authorities. This is on our agenda of talks between Pakistan and India, Indian Commerce Minister said.
"We are also talking on visa issues particularly for issuing business visas. We will soon have an agreement for issuing multiple entry visas. Me and Indian government are in favour of this move, he opined.
Responding to another question, he said manufacturing, agro processing, textiles, energy, services and pharmaceutical sectors have more potential for trade and investment between the two countries. He said India was looking at Pakistan's concerns regarding non-tariff barriers with honesty and this will be our effort to remove barriers. Time has come to remove these barriers. I have come here with open heart and mind.
