Jalandhar, Nov. 4 -- Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar, urging them to take steps to restore the silk route to promote trade with Asian and European countries. This will benefit northern Indian states, particularly the farmers of Punjab, he said. "If the Wagah border is reopened, farmers will be able to sell their potatoes directly in Lahore and other Asian countries. The people of Punjab want improved relations with Pakistan. They want the opening of the Wagah border as well as the Kartarpur corridor," Seechewal said. Referring to the ongoing US-Iran and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, he said there is an urgent need to explore alternative arrangements and trade routes. htc...