Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar clarified that no trade discussions have occurred between Pakistan and India since 2019. Speaking at the Indian embassy in Washington, Jaishankar noted that no proposals to resume trade had been initiated by either side.
Jaishankar emphasized that India never suspended trade, pointing out that Pakistan halted trade in 2019 after India granted Pakistan Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, a gesture Pakistan did not reciprocate. He added, “Every country has the sovereign right to make its decisions regarding international commitments.”
Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with India in 2019 following New Delhi’s revocation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) special status. Islamabad tied any normalization of relations to the restoration of the region’s autonomy.
While tensions persist, both nations renewed the 2003 ceasefire agreement in 2021. Last year, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reiterated that no trade talks were underway due to India’s actions in IIOJK.
However, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan has shown openness to revisiting trade relations. In interviews, Sharif expressed his longstanding support for improved ties, citing past Indian prime ministerial visits during his tenure as opportunities for dialogue.
