Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

24-August-2011 16:24 IST

Non-Implementation of SAFTA by Pakistan

Pakistan maintains a ‘Positive List’ of 1945 items which are allowed to be imported from India. Under SAFTA, Pakistan operates a sensitive list (negative list) of 1169 items.

This issue is being discussed at the ongoing rounds of bi-lateral trade talks between India and Pakistan. At the Commerce Secretary level talks in April 2011, Pakistan side has in-principle agreed to move from ‘Positive List’ to ‘Negative List’ trade regime. Pakistan has also recognized that grant of MFN status to India would help in expanding the bilateral trade relations.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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SAFTA implementation: Pakistan's positive list contrasts with SAFTA negative list; talks seek shift and MFN recognition. Pakistan maintains a Positive List permitting imports from India of 1,945 items, whereas SAFTA operates a sensitive Negative List of 1,169 items, creating a regulatory mismatch. In bilateral talks Pakistan has indicated in principle willingness to shift from a Positive List to a Negative List regime and recognized that granting Most Favoured Nation status to India could help expand bilateral trade.