Attari (Punjab), Feb 22 Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday said that India should continue its trade ties with Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.

Speaking to reporters here after laying the foundation stone of the integrated check post (ICP) at the international border with Pakistan, Chidambaram said that even though Pakistan had not reciprocated the most favoured nation (MFN) status India had given it, this did not mean that India should stop trade with Pakistan.

Chidambaram laid the foundation stone for the construction of an ICP at Attari, 25 km from Amritsar.

The ICP is located close to the India-Pakistan international border. The Attari ICP is the first one among 13 such to be constructed to boost trade with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal.

Addressing a gathering after the ceremony, the home minister said that the 21st century would be one of trade and commerce.