AMRITSAR: After reports of India mulling over taking measures to tighten screw around Pakistan by suspending some flagship services between two nations, the business community has also come forward recommending snapping business ties with a hostile neighbour.While talking to TOI on Sunday, chairman, Punjab state committee of Associated Chambers of Commerce of Industry, Suneet Kochhar, said "Snapping of trade with Pakistan wouldn't affect India at all since the trade with Pakistan is equivalent to 0.41% of India's global merchandise commerce and it is abysmally low accounting for less than half a percent of India's total global trade".According to reports, after Uri incident, the Centre is mulling over suspending Samjhuta Express, Delhi and Amritsar bus service to Lahore and Nankana Sahib, Thar Express , revoking Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status given to Pakistan beside scrapping the Indus Water Treaty.Advocating to take exemplary measures against Pakistan, Kochhar said India needs to take tough stand and the best way to attack Pakistan was economically, instead of a full-fledged war .However, expressing concern over the businessmen whose interests would be hurt with snapping of economic relations with Pakistan, chairman, ASSOCHM said, "There may be some challenges to industry but we have to bite the bullet for larger good".While favouring withdrawing MFN status given to Pakistan and other harsh measures, prominent industrialist and president Focal Point Industrial Welfare Association, Kamal Dalmia , said, "We know if trade ties are snapped, there will be some problems, for example nowadays Pakistan's cement is widely used and if its import is banned, the price of each cement bag will rise more than Rs 50. But for the sake of our nation and larger interests of our fellow beings we have to swallow the bitter pill".Dalmia said not only the trade from Attari and other routes should be immediately suspended, but the ongoing barter trade across Line of Control should also be stopped, which was only helping funding to the terrorists.Parshant Kumar, an exporter from Ludhiana, said, "I know it is a serious issue which will directly hurt our financial interests, but there is no way out. Pakistan's leaders wouldn't understand the significance of India, unless they are taught a lesson and we are prepared for it".

Source: Times of India September 25, 2016 13:55 UTC