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NAPA calls for reopening of India-Pak Wagah Border for trade
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) emphasized its economic and social benefits for both India and Pakistan.
NAPA logo and Satnam Singh Chahal / Courtesy Photo
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has urged the governments of India and Pakistan to reopen the Wagah border for trade and emphasized its economic and social advantages for both countries.
NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal highlighted the Wagah border as a crucial trade link, particularly for Punjab on both sides.
He said, “The Wagah border has long served as a crucial gateway for trade between India and Pakistan, especially for Punjab on both sides. Reopening this route would significantly reduce costs for essential goods, boost local economies, and strengthen people-to-people connections.”
NAPA is a global, nonpartisan, nonsectarian nonprofit organization with chapters worldwide. It advocates for people of Indian origin by addressing critical issues and promoting cooperation among Indian communities abroad. NAPA is registered with the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) in the United States.
The India-Pakistan Wagah Border is an important crossing between Amritsar and Lahore, serving as a road link since 1947. It has been partially closed due to rising tensions between the two countries.
Chahal outlined several key benefits of reopening the border:
Exports from Pakistan to India: Rock salt, gypsum, cement, textiles, dry fruits, dates, and organic fertilizers would be more affordable. High-quality Pakistani basmati rice and fresh fruits like kinnow oranges would also be readily available.
Exports from India to Pakistan: Pharmaceutical products, tea, spices, machinery, and auto parts would become more accessible. Additionally, Pakistan would benefit from a steady supply of cotton, wheat, and sugar.
- Farmers in Punjab on both sides would receive better prices for their crops, reducing their reliance on distant markets.
- Small businesses, including textile and handicraft industries, would experience smoother export and import processes.
- Trade through Wagah is significantly more cost-effective and faster than using third-party routes like the UAE.
- Businesses currently face high freight costs due to indirect trade routes.
- Reopening the border would foster diplomatic relations and cultural exchanges.
- Thousands of divided families in Punjab would benefit from easier travel and trade.
- Cross-border business collaborations and tourism would flourish, strengthening ties between India and Pakistan.
Chahal stressed, “A prosperous Punjab on both sides of the border will not only benefit local communities but will also strengthen economic ties between India and Pakistan.”
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