In a cavernous warehouse in north India, workers grade and blend mounds of tea for shipping to Dubai, Europe, Singapore - just about anywhere around the globe, except for the country right next door, Pakistan.

Decades of conflict have decimated trade between the South Asian neighbours. Now, with peace efforts between both the countries stalled, officials are hoping that trade could lead the way to easing tensions.

They have promised to throw open their economies to each other by the end of the year and have already liberalized some commercial ties. A new border depot for trade was inaugurated recently. – Photos and text by AP.