Union Minister Jairam Ramesh puts off Pak visit

Kochi, Dec 20 (PTI) In the backdrop of the Mumbai
terror attacks, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam
Ramesh Saturday said he has put off his next month's visit to
Pakistan, asserting that the country "cannot continue business
as usual in the context of current political environment".

"It is disappointing that with Pakistan we have
to go slow. We cannot continue business as usual in the
context of current political environment," the Minister told
reporters here.

Ramesh said he had "put off" his visit to Pakistan
scheduled for January.

The two sides were expected to review the cross-LoC
commerce which commenced from October 21 and also discuss
measures to strengthen trade through the Wagah-Attari border
route.

The Minister said government efforts to step up Tea
exports to Pakistan were also "put on pause" due to Mumbai
terror attacks.

"Government backed tea promotion activity to Pakistan
are put on pause," he said.

India expects to export about 15 million to 20
million tonnes of tea to Pakistan this year.

During a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, it was decided
to allow tea to be sent to Pakistan through the Wagha border
and the rail route.

"All this will have to wait," he said. PTI UD
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