PM Modi Calls Meeting to Review MFN Status Granted to Pakistan

The Most Favored Nation (MFN) status allows smooth flow of Indian goods to Pakistan.

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. (Photo: Reuters)

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a meeting on September 29 to review the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status granted to Pakistan.

In the aftermath of the Uri attack, Union Minister of State for Finance Arjun Meghwal had told India Today in an interview that India was mulling the idea of revoking the Most Favoured Nation tag given to Pakistan.

When Pakistan was accorded the MFN status, the situation was different. Now, the conditions have changed... We have different conditions now. So, we are seriously reviewing the MFN status given to Pakistan. India’s security is always our priority. Trade makes our nation strong but our priority will be security.

Arjun Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Finance

The Most Favoured Nation status afforded to Pakistan allows the smooth flow of goods across the border. However, this privilege is not enjoyed by India as it is not a Most Favored Nation for Pakistan.

India had given MFN status to Pakistan in 1996. After much deliberation between India and Pakistan, Islamabad had agreed in 2012 to grant the MFN tag to India, reports The Economic Times. But the plan never materialised.

(With inputs from IANS, ANI, India Today and The Economic Times)