Afghan-Pak Transit Trade

[notsuperstitious]

For entire SE Asia to get 'normalised'and prosper, we must have free trade across all countries.

The only country thats blocking it at SAARC level is Pakistan, no clue why.

http://www.defence.pk/forums/strategic-geopolitical-issues/55713-pak-blocks-two-key-saarc-pacts.html

 

[EjazR]

I think the main bargaining here is that Pakistan wants transit access to Central Asian countries to which Afghanistan wants transit access to India and onwards of course to Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan. I think this is a valid bargain.

If taken as positive step, we could have a new Central/S. Asia economic zone. There are other indications of India being granted MFN status and with modern container scanning technology, security should also be not a big problem but both Afghanistan and Pakistan have valid concerns in this regard. Even India will have to be on the look of drug shipments and work with both Afghans and Pakistanis to fight the drug trade.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

Not unless the disputes are cleared off.. though economically it has huge bennifits for all three counteries , But india must move towards the settelment of the disputes to earn this bennefit. However Its India which needs it the most not Afghanistan..!

 

[ramu]

I think the main bargaining here is that Pakistan wants transit access to Central Asian countries to which Afghanistan wants transit access to India and onwards of course to Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan. I think this is a valid bargain.

If taken as positive step, we could have a new Central/S. Asia economic zone. There are other indications of India being granted MFN status and with modern container scanning technology, security should also be not a big problem but both Afghanistan and Pakistan have valid concerns in this regard. Even India will have to be on the look of drug shipments and work with both Afghans and Pakistanis to fight the drug trade.

Great idea only if people can think what prosperity this can bring to the region. Phobia is all over the place and protectionism is the name of the game.

 

[Jade]

Not unless the disputes are cleared off.. though economically it has huge bennifits for all three counteries , But india must move towards the settelment of the disputes to earn this bennefit. However Its India which needs it the most not Afghanistan..!

The same old story. Dispute resolutions take time. We cannot hold trade and economic development hostage to disputes. This is gross injustice to the 1.5 billion people of South Asia. Trade is a must to eliminate poverty and terrorism from this region and for better understanding of each others position in this region

 

[Jade]

Great idea only if people can think what prosperity this can bring to the region. Phobia is all over the place and protectionism is the name of the game.

More than phobia or protectionism it is irrationality at play

 

[M8R]

We should offer the route but with hefty fees.

 

[TaimiKhan]

We should offer the route but with hefty fees.

Hefty fees won't cover the cost that our economy will suffer due to the smuggling effects.

For now its better we don't allow it till the Afghan govt accepts the measures proposed by Pakistan for controlling the smuggling, as due to the afghan transit trade we are already suffering billions in revenue losses as well as damage to the local economy.

Once our concerns are looked after, then we should allow it so that misuse is not done on wide scale.

 

[M8R]

Hefty fees won't cover the cost that our economy will suffer due to the smuggling effects.

For now its better we don't allow it till the Afghan govt accepts the measures proposed by Pakistan for controlling the smuggling, as due to the afghan transit trade we are already suffering billions in revenue losses as well as damage to the local economy.

Once our concerns are looked after, then we should allow it so that misuse is not done on wide scale.

I disagree - We should in fact encourge them to transfer as much as they want to do.After a while they will eventually become dependent on us and if they do something stupid just cut the route.

 

[Jade]

Hefty fees won't cover the cost that our economy will suffer due to the smuggling effects.

For now its better we don't allow it till the Afghan govt accepts the measures proposed by Pakistan for controlling the smuggling, as due to the afghan transit trade we are already suffering billions in revenue losses as well as damage to the local economy.

Once our concerns are looked after, then we should allow it so that misuse is not done on wide scale.

World is moving forward at much faster pace toward regional integration, whereas in South Asia it is quite the opposite. Pakistan is as much responsible as Afghanistan for the smuggling that is going on at the border. Bribing is very common. Pakistan by now must have put measure to arrest smuggling.


http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect...han-pakistan-border-a-smugglers-delight-ss-01

 

[TaimiKhan]

I disagree - We should in fact encourge them to transfer as much as they want to do.After a while they will eventually become dependent on us and if they do something stupid just cut the route.

Buddy try to understand the basics of economics, such a route will damage us more compared to using it as a tool for the purpose yoou described.

They are already dependent on us, as their majority of trade happens through the Afghan Transit Agreement, the land route provided through which they bring in their things through sea and then shifted through land.

But the afghans are using it for other purposes rather then just for their own trade, our local economy is getting damaged with smuggled goods.

 

[TaimiKhan]

World is moving forward at much faster pace toward regional integration, whereas in South Asia it is quite the opposite. Pakistan is as much responsible as Afghanistan for the smuggling that is going on at the border. Bribing is very common. Pakistan by now must have put measure to arrest smuggling.


DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Afghan-Pakistan border: a smuggler's delight

By closing the border route it will not stop, there are hundreds of land routes available through which they can still bring it in, till the afghan side does not makes some steps, it will not be stopped, its not a one way traffic.

Once the measures proposed by Pakistan are put into effect, lot of things will be solved, as they are for knowing what is being brought in and who and how it is going to be paid for, thus it will be easy to keep track of the things.

 

[Jade]

I disagree - We should in fact encourge them to transfer as much as they want to do.After a while they will eventually become dependent on us and if they do something stupid just cut the route.

I agree with the first part that we should encourage trade; however, I would not agree with your second part. Trade is a give and take relationship, where both parties prosper. Integrity is an essential component in any trading relationship. This is preciously the reason why India is reluctant to be a part of IPI pipeline.

 

[WAQAS119]

If Pakistan say no for that so we can see how they again talk about Afghanistan progress


I really want that Pakistan say no for that because after that their true face come in front of every one .

This is really a nonsensical post......
Do you mean Pakistan should incur loss and give up its concerns only for the development of Afghanistan...

BTW I was not expecting any sensible reply by Indians but this is too much.

 

[Jade]

By closing the border route it will not stop, there are hundreds of land routes available through which they can still bring it in, till the afghan side does not makes some steps, it will not be stopped, its not a one way traffic.

Once the measures proposed by Pakistan are put into effect, lot of things will be solved, as they are for knowing what is being brought in and who and how it is going to be paid for, thus it will be easy to keep track of the things.

I would say the issues that are at place are at best operational, which can be solved. What I feel is that countries in this region lack the intent.