India and Pakistan, during talks between Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistani prime minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz here on Wednesday, agreed to commence comprehensive bilateral dialogue.
“India & Pakistan announce the commencement of a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue. Foreign Secretaries to meet later,” external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.
SUSHMA SWARAJ CALLS ON NAWAZ SHARIF
WATCH: EAM Sushma Swaraj meets Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad https://t.co/qTbO0q4g4T
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 9, 2015
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday called on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Conference here.
“Conveying India's commitment to good neighbourly relations, EAM @SushmaSwaraj calls on PM Nawaz Sharif,” external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted after the meeting along with pictures of the two leaders.
India-Pakistan issue joint statement (Source: MEA) pic.twitter.com/LXHxsgbFVl
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 9, 2015
Dawn online, in a report, said that Sharif and Sushma Swaraj discussed bilateral issues during the meeting.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sushma Swaraj extended India's hand of friendship to Pakistan at the conference.
"It is time that we display the maturity and self-confidence to do business with each other and strengthen regional trade and cooperation," she said in her address at the conference.
EAM Sushma Swaraj meets Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad pic.twitter.com/rLUeWABoZH
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 9, 2015
"For its part, India is prepared to move our cooperation at a pace which Pakistan is comfortable with," she added.
The Heart of Asia Conference engages "heart of Asia" countries in sincere and result-oriented cooperation for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
Later, the Indian minister attended a lunch hosted by Sharif for the Heart of Asia conference delegates.
EAM Sushma Swaraj meets her counterpart Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad pic.twitter.com/dojyprtTO4
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 9, 2015
This is the first ministerial visit from India to Pakistan since then external affairs minister S.M. Krishna visited the South Asian neighbour in 2012.
