ISLAMABAD: New Delhi wants to have better relations, including trade ties, with Pakistan, the Indian deputy high commissioner (DHC) said on Friday, adding the two countries could not “change geography.” 

Relations between the bitter rivals hit a new low on August 5, 2019, after New Delhi revoked Kashmir’s special status, taking away the territory’s autonomy and dividing it into three federally administered territories. Pakistan, as a result of India’s move, closed its airspaces and suspended bilateral ties with India. 

The statement by the Indian HC for improvement of ties came at an event hosted by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in the eastern Pakistani city on Friday. 

“India always wants better relations with Pakistan because we cannot change geography,” the LCCI quoted Indian DHC Suresh Kumar as saying at the event. 

“The two countries have always been neighbors. It would be better to see how we can change our problems and situations. We want to move toward normal relations.” 

Kumar also spoke about transit trade between the two countries and said its volume was “far below the potential” at present. 

“India has never stopped trade between the two countries but trade was closed by Pakistan,” he said. “The two countries are still doing trade but the volume is far below the potential.” 

The diplomat stressed the significance of transit trade, saying Central Asia was a big market and India needed access to it and vice versa. He noted that startups were rapidly growing in India and the country ranked third on the list of eco-startup countries. 

“Traditionally, we were in the service sector. If we can do all these things then Pakistan can also do it,” he said. 

“The importance of geo-economics cannot be denied. GT Road runs from India to Kabul. Connectivity is very important. We desperately need to work on it.” 

Since gaining independence from the British in 1947, nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought three wars, mainly over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir. 

The disputed region remains a bone of contention between the two neighbors and a de-facto border dividing it is often a site of skirmishes between the two militaries.