India, Pakistan agree to resume comprehensive dialogue

All issues including Kashmir and Siachen to be discussed, says joint statement

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani inaugurated the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference in Islamabad on Wednesday.



Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj are in the federal capital to attend the meeting.



Composite dialogue to resume

Indian extrenal affairs minister has said India and Pakistan have decided to restart composite dialogue.

Addressing a brief news conference in Islamabad, Swaraj said the conditions will be set by the respective foreign secretaries.

EAM @SushmaSwaraj addresses Joint Press conference with Foreign Affairs Adviser Mr Sartaj Aziz pic.twitter.com/LcSsPAA3Se

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 9, 2015

India & Pakistan announce the commencement of a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue. Foreign Secretaries to meet later pic.twitter.com/jd4UaXbDUd

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 9, 2015

According to the joint statement, all issues including Kashmir, Sir Creek, terrorism and anti-narcotic efforts will be discussed in the comprehensive dialogue.

"Both sides, accordingly, agreed to a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue and directed the foreign secretaries to work out the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the dialogue including peace and security, CBMs, Jammu & Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, economic and commercial Cooperation, counterterrorism, narcotics control and humanitarian issues, people to people exchanges and religious tourism," the statement said.



Nawaz-Swaraj meeting commences at PM House

A meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is currently underway at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad.

The discussion will cover a number of issues from terrorism, regional situation, Kashmir dispute, to trade and bilateral ties among the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and PM's Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi are attending the meeting.

Earlier upon her arrival at the PM's House, the Indian foreign minister was received by prime minister's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Indian Foreign Minister SushmaSwaraj meets Maryam Nawaz Shareef Proud Of Our Nation Proud Of Our Women pic.twitter.com/Fbe0cqZcLW

— Abdul Karim Butt (@AbdulKarimButt1) December 9, 2015

Conveying India's commitment to good neighborly relations, EAM @SushmaSwaraj calls on PM Nawaz Sharif pic.twitter.com/JF3u1qOlla

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 9, 2015

'Modi to visit Pakistan for SAARC summit in 2016'

Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj announced on Wednesday Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Pakistan in 2016 to participate in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit.

I will accompany the Indian premier during his trip, Swaraj said while speaking to reporters.

The last prime ministerial visit from India to Pakistan was by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in January 2004, also for the SAARC summit held that year.



Trilateral dialogue underway between Pakistan, Afghanistan, US

A trilateral meeting has commenced between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States at the PM House. The meeting comes shortly after a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Afghan counterpart, also at the PM House.



Afghan president arrives at PM House

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani arrived at the prime minister’s house in Islamabad following the inauguration of the 'Heart of Asia' conference on Wednesday, where he is set to have a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Both the prime ministers will be assisted by their respective advisers and ministers during the meeting.

An Express News screengrab



Turkish foreign minister calls on PM Nawaz

Turkish Foreign Minister H E Melvet Cavusoglu has arrived at the PM House this afternoon, our correspondent reports.

“Pakistan is our second home and we support its efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation in the region,” Cavusoglu said.

The prime minister said Turkey is a trusted friend and brother of Pakistan and the relationship between the two brotherly countries will grow stronger.



Iranian foreign minister meets PM Nawaz

A meeting between the premier and Iranian Foreign Minister Javed Zarif was held on the sidelines of the conference earlier today.

The foreign minister lauded Pakistan's efforts on hosting the Heart of Asia Conference to ensure peace and stability in the region.

"We are determined to work with Pakistan to eliminate extremism and terrorism from the region. We hope that all remaining obstacles between Pakistan and Iran economic cooperation will be removed after removal of international sanctions on Iran," he said, adding that, "We are sure that all impediments are almost over on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.”

Further, PM Nawaz stated that Iran and Pakistan have historical relationship and bonds between Pakistan and Iran will become stronger.



Afghan peace is our common responsibility: Swaraj

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj while speaking at the Heart of Asia conference said Afghanistan can only progress through economic uplift.



“There is no way for Afghan progress except the economic building,” she said, adding the country is threatened most by terrorism.

PHOTO: AFP

Swaraj also offered India’s assistance and cooperation in bringing peace and tranquillity in the violence-stricken nation.

The Indian foreign minister went on to appreciate the role of Afghan national forces and the people of Afghanistan in fighting against terrorism.

She insisted that all regional powers must show greater restraint and maturity to bring back peace and stability in the region.

Tensions between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India have spiked over the past two years, with cross-border shelling over their disputed border in Kashmir claiming dozens of lives since 2014.

But a brief meeting between PM Nawaz and his counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris last month appeared to have broken the ice.

While talks between India and Pakistan are likely to focus on Kashmir and security issues, observers are also watching keenly for an announcement on whether or not the first cricket series between the two countries in three years will go ahead.



'Terrorism a regional, national and global phenomena'

While extending his gratitude to PM Nawaz and the people of Pakistan, Ashraf Ghani said it is "important to name all the problems the region is facing, in terms of terrorism and corruption."

"Our children have been murdered while playing in fields, our women have been murdered while going shopping or to schools, our hospitals and mosques have bee attacked, and terrorism has now become a regional, national and global phenomenon," he said.

"Despite these viscous attacks, our will is strong and our security fores will do everything to deal with terrorism."

An Express News screengrab

"Al Qaeda, Da'ish, terrorists from Russia, Uzbekistan, the Middle East and beyond; are all present on our soil," he said.

Further, Ghani questioned the nature of terrorism while urging for a long-term solution to eradicating terrorism. "What is the nature of the Taliban and how so we deal with it?" he questioned, adding that "it is problem which requires us to work on it systematically."

The Afghan president extended his gratitude to US President Obama, European leaders and other governments who have supported Afghanistan's mission and supported its security forces.

"On behalf of my people I thank you all," he said.



'Any enemy of Afghanistan is an enemy of Pakistan'

Welcoming the Afghan president, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in his opening remarks assured the people of Afghanistan that "any enemy of Afghanistan is an enemy of Pakistan."

"Terrorists like Da'ish should strengthen our resolve against terrorism," the premier said, adding that all efforts are underway to eradicate terrorism from the region."

"There must be collective and coordinated measures to ensure that the struggle against terrorism are irreversible," he asserted.

The premier further urged that the 'Heart of Asia' initiative should be held with high importance as it creates a "forum for sustainable peace for the region and beyond."



Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Ashraf Ghani stand for the National Anthem

An Express News screengrab



'Defeating terrorism with regional cooperation'

Opening the ceremony of the conference this morning, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai emphasised on regional cooperation for defeating terrorism.

"With defeating terrorism being a priority, regional cooperation will play an effective role," Aziz said.



Afghan president arrives in Islamabad

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to attend the fifth 'Heart of Asia ─ Istanbul process' ministerial conference.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif walks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi on December 9, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

The Afghan president was received by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Nur Khan air base and presented a guard of honour and given a 21 gun salute. National anthems of both countries were played.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani attend a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi on December 9, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

Army chief General Raheel Sharif was among the high-level civil, military officials present at the reception. Further, Chief of Air Staff Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, National Security Adviser Lt Gen Nasser Janjua, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi were also present.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (C) inspects a guard of honour upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi on December 9, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

The Afghan leader's visit to Islamabad came as at least eight people were killed in an all-night Taliban raid at an airport in Kandahar, highlighting the insurgents' capacity to carry out dramatic attacks despite reports of factional infighting.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (L) receives bouquet from a girl as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (C) looks on upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi on December 9, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have plummeted since July following confirmation that the Taliban's founder Mullah Omar was dead, a revelation that scuppered nascent peace talks between Kabul and the insurgent group.