This will be the second high-level interaction between the two countries after the resumption of dialogue on all bilateral issues. Home secretaries of the two countries met last month, followed by an informal meeting between their prime ministers at Mohali, India on the occasion of Pak-India Cricket World Cup semi-final match. - Photo by AFP.

ISLAMABAD: Indian Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar along with a six-member delegation will arrive here on April 26 to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Zafar Mehmood on trade related issues.

“Commerce secretaries of both the countries will discuss trade related issues and give impetus to the Pakistan-India economic engagement,” official sources told APP on Wednesday.

This will be the second high-level interaction between the two countries after the resumption of dialogue on all bilateral issues. Home secretaries of the two countries met last month, followed by an informal meeting between their prime ministers at Mohali, India on the occasion of Pak-India Cricket World Cup semi-final match.

The sources said that the two sides would try to settle outstanding issues, giving boost to cross-border trade.

Among other issues, export of cement from Pakistan to India and import of cotton from India to Pakistan would feature in the discussions, besides development of trade infrastructure along the Wagah border, they said.

Pakistan will seek relaxations from India on cotton export as the latter has started re-evaluating contracts from the Pakistani buyers, which they had signed with Indian exporters till October-2010.

“All the contracts till October 2010 should be fulfilled on old agreed prices. However, future cotton contracts should be inked at prices commensurating with international prices” the sources added.

The sources added that import of about one million cotton bales from India had been halted, which would also be discussed during the meeting of commerce secretaries.

The sources said that Pakistan would also take up the issue of enhancing the time period of cement inspection by Indian quality control authorities from one year to three years.

The Indian officials usually visit Pakistani cement units once in a year. The visit this year was delayed by six months, that created hurdles in exporting cement to India, they added.

Both the sides will also discuss ways and means to improve trade infrastructure facilities on both sides of the Wagah border to facilitate the business community.

To a question, the sources said that relaxation in imports of Pakistani products by the European Union were included in the agenda.