Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 July 2011.

India and Pakistan

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will raise with the Commonwealth Secretariat ways of achieving détente between India and Pakistan and of increasing their mutual trade.

Answer: We welcome the renewed engagement between India and Pakistan following the meeting between Prime Ministers Singh and Gilani on 30 March. India and Pakistan are working to build confidence in a number of areas including bilateral trade. But the scope and pace of their dialogue is for India and Pakistan to agree. We believe that third parties should neither mediate nor proscribe solutions. It is important that India and Pakistan are given space to pursue a promising series of contacts on all aspects of the relationship. We are working with Pakistan, India and other member states to reinvigorate the Commonwealth. Members of this unique organisation share principles of democracy, rule of law and similar legal systems, which provide solid foundations to conduct business and have shown to bring trade advantages.

Secondary information