New Delhi: Pakistan has said that India should continue to focus on achieving higher growth rates.
The statement came to emphasis the fact that India's higher growth rate had direct correlation with the success of the South Asian. India is expected to clock a growth rate of 7.4 per cent in 2014-15 and cross 8 per cent in the next financial year beginning April 1.
Pak High Commissioner Abdul Basit said it is important to create a level playing field within the eight member group. As quoted by Business Standard, Basit said, "We in South Asia do believe that India does have wherewithal and resolve to step to the plate and ensure that it achieves its economic goals, because if India rises we are confident the entire region will rise with India."
The bilateral trade between India and Pakistan stood at $ 2.7 billion in financial year 2013-14.
Besides India, SAARC members include Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka as its members.
“This is especially true in the context of our region, where politics often drums economics... In my view, these two constitute the warp and woof of modern economic diplomacy,” he added.
He stressed that in the coming months SAARC will achieve all its targets. He emphasized all these in the context of the next SAARC Summit to be held in Islamabad.
