NEW DELHI, July 4: A Pakistani business delegation arrived here on Friday in hope of boosting trade with India amid a thaw in tension between the nuclear arch-rivals, but warned that transport bottlenecks hampered the flow of goods and capital.

“We are hopeful our visit will contribute to improving the political atmosphere between Pakistan and India and open up avenues for development of trade and commerce through interaction with our counterparts,” said Illyas Bilour, co-president of the India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Illyas led a group of 51 Pakistani businessmen into India Friday.

“The Pakistani delegation will have extensive one-to-one meetings on July 7 and 8 with India’s Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha, other top government officials and the captains of Indian industry,” said FICCI spokesman Abhinav Kanchan.

Currently Pakistan allows imports of only 610 items from India and these are subject to high tariffs, which encourages smuggling.—AFP

Our Staff Reporter adds from Lahore: Some 38 businessmen left here on Friday via Wagah for New Delhi to attend the two-day 3rd meeting of the Indo-Pak Chamber of Commerce & Industry starting from Monday.

Some businessmen were accompanied by their families, raising the number of those who crossed the border to around 56.

When the Pakistani delegates crossed the border, they were greeted by their Indian counterparts representing the Indo-Pak Chamber of Commerce & Industry as well as SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry.