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Dear friends,
The Indus river drains South Asia's chief catchment basin, and is a lifeline connecting countless farming and fishing communities. Yet, the river’s 3000-km-long journey tells a tale not of power but of persistence, as it slowly cuts through earth and rock traversing across China, India and Pakistan.
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Trade between Indian and Pakistan at the conflict-ridden Line of Control (LoC) is another such lifeline for people on either side of the border. Official cross-LoC trade, which began on October 21st 2008, while intermittent has persisted largely on the resolve and initiative of local communities. Although ceasefire violations along the LoC in September once again fomented hostilities between India and Pakistan, officials and traders from the two countries met recently to review the pace and progress of cross-LoC trade.
Ushering in the 7th anniversary of cross-Loc trade this October, we hope stakeholders will not be embroiled by hostilities but will remain steadfast in their endeavors to promote bilateral trade, and bring you the next edition of 'South Asia Watch', featuring the insights of Shujaat Bukhari, veteran journalist and convener of the Kashmir Initiative Group, on the last seven years of cross-LoC trade. |
Mohammed Saqib
CEO, BRIEF |
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