Indian FM Sushma Swaraj arrives in Islamabad
This is the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in over 3 years
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has arrived in Islamabad where she will participate in the Heart of Asia Conference, Dunya News reported.
India is looking for a substantive engagement with Pakistan during Swaraj‘s 2-day visit to Islamabad.
The Indian government had officially confirmed on Monday that Swaraj would visit Pakistan to attend the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad.
Accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, she will call on Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and also hold a meeting with PM‘s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
This is the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in over 3 years.
HEART OF ASIA CONFERENCE
Pakistan is hosting the Fifth Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference in Islamabad on December 9, 2015.
High-ranking delegations from 14 Participating States, 17 Supporting Countries and 12 International and Regional Organizations are participating in the conference while foreign ministers from ten countries have confirmed participation in the Conference.
The Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process was established in 2011 at the initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey. The main objective of the Process is to foster efforts for regional cooperation and connectivity with a view to promoting long-term peace and stability as well as progress and development in Afghanistan, and the region.
The Fifth Ministerial Conference is expected to adopt a forward looking Islamabad Declaration entitled "Enhanced Cooperation for Countering Security Threats and Promoting Connectivity in the Heart of Asia Region". The Declaration would underline commitments from the Heart of Asia countries and partners for sustained efforts towards promoting peace and security, economic development and connectivity in the region.
