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ISLAMABAD: Indian Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher writes to Ministry of Home Affairs saying that this unilateral measure could boost trade ties between the two countries and wanted to allow Pakistani SIM cards in its territory, the daily Economic Times reported.
A fortnight ahead of the first bilateral meeting of ministers from India and Pakistan since the new government took charge in New Delhi, reports have suggested that the Indian government may be seriously considering allowing mobile phone SIM cards issued in Pakistan to function in India.
Such a move would benefit travellers from across the border, who visit India for trade or other business interests.
According to report, while citing a letter from Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher on the subject to the Ministry of Home Affairs, that this unilateral measure could boost trade ties between the two countries.
Indian SIM cards are not usable in Pakistan, and the country has not yet announced any move to free that ban, though a return gesture would be expected. In 2012, Pakistan expanded the list of items tradable with India from 1,918 items to 5,800.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif met the day after the former's swearing-in ceremony in May this year.
Among the issues raised during their talks was greater cooperation in trade and trade liberalisation.
The two nations' trade ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Khurram Dastgir Khan will hold talks in Bhutan to discuss revival of talks on bilateral trade liberalisation, on the sidelines of the SAFTA meet in the last week of July.
India wants to allow Pakistani SIM cards in its territory