NEW DELHI, Dec 13: India would not press the WTO's disputes settlement mechanism to get the MFN status from Pakistan, preferring instead to lean on their proposed economic cooperation agreement to see them through business disputes , said Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath on Monday.

Expressing confidence that trade between India and Pakistan would improve despite political roadblocks, he told parliament that trade between the two countries had grown by over 300 per cent during the period from April to July 2003.

It could grow even more if Pakistan reciprocated by granting India the MFN status. Mr Nath told the Rajya Sabha that both countries' recent landmark decision to have an economic cooperation agreement would boost bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

The first meeting of the two sides, headed by their respective commerce secretaries, would be held shortly, he said. He agreed with a questioner that in the absence of the MFN status 'unofficial' trade between the two countries, to the tune of $3,400 million, was being conducted through third countries.