Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr TCA Raghavan, recently said that there is a need to remove misperceptions between New Delhi and Islamabad for the restoration of mutual trust. He said: “India and Pakistan should behave like normal trading partners...Fears that enhanced trade with India would result in Indian goods flooding Pakistani market, rendering local traders out of business, is misplaced.” Giving the example of China and India, Dr Raghavan emphasised how this is the way forward for countries to remove barriers in the larger interest of their nations.

Pakistani and Indian soldiers lower their national flags at the border near Lahore. If people-to-people contact through liberal visa policies could be encouraged, Indians and Pakistanis would be able to travel to each other’s countries and see for themselves what lies across the border(s). That would break many a stereotype. Pic/Getty Images