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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that Pakistan and India have agreed to enhance trade relations to tap their existing potential.

Talking to Pakistan Television (PTV), he said that the Mohali cricket match was the launching pad for negotiations on trade because on this occasion the prime ministers of the two countries met.

He said after the visit of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to Mohali, Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma invited him (Makhdoom) for parleys to promote trade.

He said that there were still many obstacles which needed to be removed for enhancing trade, including easing of visa facility.

The Commerce Minister said India's announcement to support Pakistan at the World Trade Organization was a great breakthrough.

He was of the view that enhanced trade relations would have positive impact on the overall relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Replying to a question, the minister said that the Indian Prime Minister's statement that a prosperous Pakistan was in favour of India was a realization of the importance of improving relations.

Makhdoom said Pakistan and India have natural links as the latter imports Multani mud for cleaning and refining “Taj Mahal”.