Zulifqar Ali Bhutto : Indo-pak Common Market

Q: How will the Simla Agreement affect the future of the Indian subcontinent?

President ZAB: if the Simla Agreementis implemented in good faith, and the disputes left for further discussion are resolved in accordance with establishd principles, a durable peace can certainly be found to ensure good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan.

Q: Will you support the idea of a Common Market in the region? 

President ZAB: A common Market comees into being after certain standards of economic development have been reached. Even in such a developed state, many difficulties arise as is evident from the expreience of the European Common Market. The objective conditions of the subcontinent are nowhere near that stage of a take-off towards a common market. This is my opinion, one way or the other , is not a determining factor. A common market in the region can come at the end of a long process of development of resovling disputes, removing causes of tension and creating confidenc. In principle. I accept the concept of peaceful and mutually benificial trading arrangements between neighbouring countries. However , In the subcontnent, we have a long history of mistrust, of suspicion and hostility. We cannot move at once conforntation to cooperation. A realistic approach would be to first achieve normalisation of relation and then proceed to improve them, step by setp. Whether such improvement could finally lead to greater co-operation in the economic sphere will depend upon the way mutual confidence is bulit up on the basis of non-interference, respect for sovereigntly, territorial integrity and independence. 

(Interview with Mr Kuldip Nayar of “The Statesman” Dehli, August 16,1972)