Governor Vohra calls for revival of historical silk route across Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct.16 : The Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N.Vohra has given a call to revive the historical silk route for bilateral trade to usher in a new chapter of cordial relations between India, Pakistan and other nations in central Asia.

Governor Vohra was making the inaugural address at the 4-day International Conference 'Dynamics and Revival of Silk-route: Perspective, Challenges and Opportunities' hosted at the campus Kashmir University on Tuesday (October 14).

This conference is a curtain-raiser to the proposed Indo-Pak trade across the Line of Control (LoC) scheduled to commence on October 21.

According to the Governor Vohra, the trade across the Line of Control (LoC) would bring about significant changes in Jammu and Kashmir in the years to come and reinforce India-Pakistan ties.

"It was worthwhile to revive linkages between India, Pakistan and Central Asian regions. Recently a trade delegation arrived in the valley from the other side of the border. It seems in the next 10 days, revival of trade across the Line of Control will bring about most significant changes for the years to come," said N. N. Vohra, the Jammu and Kashmir Governor.

Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University Prof. Riyaz Punjabi, presiding over the inaugural function of the conference, highlighted the prospects of 'Asia Network Project', which he said, heralds free trade and also movement of people across the geo-political frontiers.

"The borders between different nations have become irrelevant and new highways and rail lines would be constructed for free trade and movement of people," said Prof. Riyaz Punjabi.

Eminent economists, trade experts and entrepreneurs from France, Japan, USA, Afghanistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan are attending this international conference as delegates and sharing their views.

"It is not only the revival of trade but also of cultural interaction. To revive this route is a difficult task because we need coordination and political decision should be made by the policy makers," said Rehman, the Kyrgyzstan delegate.

Silk Road has its own exclusive socio-politico and cultural pattern with a common link of several traditions sprouting into a new synchronised civilization. This could also spell a New World Order.

The modern minds and younger generation often tend to underestimate the long past wisdom of their ancestors.

With this aspect in view, the conference will chart out new venues and avenues for the successful revival of the Silk Route and thus lend a fillip to the overall economy of the people residing in this region.

ANI