Sartaj Aziz extends formal invitation to Modi for 19th SAARC summit

Adviser to PM on foreign affairs handed invitation to Sushma Swaraj on sidelines of 37th Saarc ministerial meeting


News Desk March 17, 2016
PHOTO: ANI

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s top foreign policy aide extended on Thursday a formal invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 19th Saarc summit which will be held in Pakistan this year.

According to ANI News, Sartaj Aziz handed the invitation to Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the 37th Saarc Council of Ministers Meeting in Pokhara, Nepal.



Aziz and Swaraj held a bilateral meeting on Thursday on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) in Nepal.

Pakistan, India may break the ice in Nepal

PHOTO: ANI

This was the third meeting in two days between the two foreign dignitaries.

SIT probing Pathankot attack to arrive in India on March 27

The Indian external affairs minister said the Pathankot attack came under discussion during her meeting with Aziz.

“It is not possible that I don’t take up Pathankot attack when I meet with Sartaj Aziz. Yes, we talked about it,” Swaraj told journalists.



She said the special investigation team probing Pathankot incident will arrive in New Delhi on March 27.



Sawaraj said some issues between the nuclear-armed neighbours were decided upon in a positive manner.





Meanwhile, Aziz said his meeting with the Indian counterpart was held in a peaceful atmosphere and expressed hope that premiers of both countries will meet in Washington.





Earlier speaking to reporters about his scheduled talks with Swaraj, Aziz had said, "We are always hopeful".

The bilateral meeting may provide an opportunity to the two sides to discuss the much-delayed talks between the foreign secretaries, who were to meet in Islamabad in January.

Pathankot assault: 'JIT to wrap up probes this week'

The key foreign secretary-level talks are meant to draw up a roadmap for a series of meetings between the two countries on a range of issues, including Kashmir, peace and security, Siachen, Sir Creek, water, and trade and commerce.

The two neighbours apparently hit a deadlock in resuming the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue after the Pathankot airbase attack that India claimed was carried out by militants from Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad militant group.

COMMENTS (8)

shah | 8 years ago | Reply @Prada: It is called EYE WASH; as both Parties have no intention to fulfill what people expect them to do; Both Parties need to be more open and more honest in their attempts to resolve issues.. No issue is too big which cannot be resolved. Better lives and welfare of peoples from both countries is prime.
Vicky | 8 years ago | Reply These talks will remain useless until India's concern are not addressed....
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