India has offered to sell locomotives to Pakistan at a competitive price. The offer was made during the seventh round of commerce secretary-level talks between the two countries.
According to sources Pakistan agreed to consider over buying locomotives made in India and start direct flights between Islamabad and Delhi.
The sources said Indians were informed that although bids for the purchase of 150 locomotives against soft loans had already been invited, Pakistan would place advertisements to buy 50 more locomotives in the next few weeks and they were encouraged to participate in the bidding.
The Indian delegation quoted a price of 70 million Indian rupees per locomotive.
The two-day Pakistan and India talks on promotion of trade relations ended in Islamabad on Friday. Pakistani side was led by Secretary Commerce Munir Qureshi while his Indian counterpart S. R. Rao led the Indian side. Both countries signed on three agreements. These agreements pertain to removing mutual trade grievances‚ cooperation in mutual custom affairs and agreement between Pakistan Standards Control Authority and Bureau of Indian Standard.
