New Delhi, May 4 -- Congress leader Rashid Alvi termed India's decision to halt all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan as a "cosmetic step" on Sunday, claiming that with bilateral trade effectively halted, it is India which will be affected more as it won't be able to take advantage of the trade deficit.

"All these are cosmetic steps, but we are not opposing it. In fact, closing down export and imports hurts us more. The balance, deficit is around 300 billion dollars which used to benefit us, that is why this affects India more," Rashid Alvi told ANI in Delhi.

"But still the government feels this is correct, and they have taken the step and we are with the government."

Calling for "strict action" against Pakistan, Alvi criticise...