Pak SIMs in India

New Delhi: India’s Commerce Secretary Rajiv Kher has proposed to allow Pakistani SIM cards in the country. In a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Kher said such a move would help foster better trade ties and bridge the trust deficit between the two countries.

The pitch, if accepted, would see Pakistanis visiting India being able to freely use their mobile phones. A commerce ministry official backed the recommendation saying that the current restriction “does not make any sense”, adding, “Connectivity through the Internet and applications such as WhatsApp already allow people between the two countries to communicate seamlessly”.

According to reports the Telecom Ministry is willing to go ahead with the proposal.  

Visitors from across the border, especially the business community, have often complained about the inconvenience of not being able to use their mobile connections in India.

This is the second communication sent by the Commerce Ministry on the matter. The first was sent when UPA was in power.

The Economic Times quoted an official as saying, “When you can allow Pakistani nationals to enter the country by giving them valid visas after vetting their credentials, there is no logic behind not allowing them to use their international SIMs”.

Pakistan also does not allow Indian SIMs to be used in the country, but it could change once India gives permission. “We are not going to lose anything even if we allow it unilaterally. We are sure Pakistan is going to respond positively once we take the initiative,” the official said.