Pakistan

Indian foreign secretary to visit Pakistan, Modi tells PM Nawaz

S Jaishankar will travel to Islamabad where "India will push its agenda", confirms Indian foreign ministry official

Abdul Manan February 13, 2015

The Express Tribune has learnt through reliable sources that interaction between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at SAARC summit is still a ‘possibility.’ PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that his new foreign secretary will soon visit all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries and would also like to visit Pakistan.

According to the Prime Minister House, Modi called PM Nawaz on Friday to discuss regional issues. The conversation between the two leaders lasted for 10 minutes.

PM Nawaz, recalling his meeting with Modi in May last year, welcomed the foreign secretary to Pakistan.

Would be sending our new Foreign Secretary on a SAARC Yatra soon to further strengthen our ties.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2015

The phone call from the Indian premier came after a telephonic conversation between US President Barack Obama and PM Nawaz. Obama had informed the premier about his recent visit to India and inquired about the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Later on, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed that the secretary will travel to Pakistan as part of a regional tour in coming months, the first high-level visit since relations between the arch rivals soured last year

S Jaishankar will travel to Islamabad where "India will push its agenda" during bilateral meetings with officials, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said at a briefing.

"The foreign secretary will visit all SAARC countries including Pakistan," Akbaruddin told reporters without giving specific dates and referring to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Akbaruddin did not say whether the visit would likely result in peace talks resuming between the foreign secretaries of the nuclear-armed neighbours -- talks which India abruptly cancelled last year.

It's pertinent to mention that PM Nawaz - during his talk with Obama - expressed Pakistan's desire of becoming a member of the Nuclear Supplier Group. PM also said that India does not deserve a permanent seat in UN Security Council.

COMMENTS (65)

Dr Priyanka | 9 years ago | Reply Mr Modi Sir, plse realize this- we are a poor nation. Plse no more sone ka suit. Delhi se baahar ho gaye aap! We expected a lot from you. Make life easy for the aam admi. Poverty was always there in India. Even during Ram's time. Krishna's friend Sudama's [a brahmin] wife sent him to Dwarka to seek help as they were so desperately poor. Poverty will never leave us. Fear and hunger are constant companions of the common Indian man.

JSM | 9 years ago | Reply Would you not like to hear what the foreign secretary has to tell?

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Asad | 9 years ago | Reply @vinod: Your statements may satisfy you, but its not the fact :P

Aschraful Makhlooq | 9 years ago | Reply ISLAMABAD:Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that his new foreign secretary will soon visit all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries and would also like to visit Pakistan. But never expect any big and positive change in India's leadership's Kashmir's policy because India never wants to leaves Kashmir and even never wants plebiscite in Kashmir and falsely declares Kashmir its integral part and as an evidence Syed Akbaruddin's statement "Akbaruddin did not say whether the visit would likely result in peace talks resuming between the foreign secretaries of the nuclear-armed neighbours — talks which India abruptly cancelled last year".

Tani | 9 years ago | Reply Modi has agreed because pakistani ambassador in india met with indian ministers a week back. He has conveyed they want to move forward towards trade liberalisation with india and grant MFN if india reduces certain items on tariff list. Which india has done so in last 2 days for many Saarc countries including pakistan. Since the pakistani diplomat will face backlash if they come in India and not meet Hurriyat. And since india will not allow it and again break talks. They have found solution and taken a way around it, by meeting in pakistan. No question of meeting Hurriyat then arises in pakistan and india is also happy.

Rakib | 9 years ago | Reply @rkfromny: Its chaps like you, the unreasonable NRIs, with your hollow hubris that make India a laughing stock & rob Modi of credit for his sincere gesture. Pakistanis here may ridicule but you make it worse. Modi was genuine & didn't try any muscle flexing when he asked his new Foreign Secretary to start in the Region from clean slate. Apparently he has picked up thread from where it was left off in August 2014 without extracting any prior commitment from Pak regarding meeting with Kashmiri separatists or cease fire violations (though it may follow after discussions). Cricket & visits to other countries are perfectly normal attempt at sauver la dignité (face saving) by Ministry concerned.

Swapnil | 9 years ago | Reply BJP was waiting for establishing government in Kashmir before starting a dialogue with Pakistan.Now that PDP and BJP have brokered a power sharing deal in Kashmir ,talks will restart.

ajay | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistani: well said. its love triangle.

Gp65 | 9 years ago | Reply @Parvez Do you think so? Such niceties from Modi have been ongoing. He had called o offer help when the Kashmir floods happened. He had asked for 2 minutes of silence in schools and parliament when APS happened, he had wished Nawaz Sharif on his birthday. So wiwshing all SAARC nations at start of world cup is similar.

Bewildered | 9 years ago | Reply @Deepak: "This chaiwallas family live in modest house and Indians consider him incorruptible." Would you tell us how this modest chaiwala afforded Rs. 1 million suite stiched out of a custom made fabric having his name woven in stripes which he wore during Obama's visit?

rkfromny | 9 years ago | Reply This is the start of the saarc tour.. India is flexing its muscles and becoming the leader in the neighborhood.. and here the Pakistanis are thinking the Indian guy is coming to hand over Kashmir to them.. hahahaha

rkfromny | 9 years ago | Reply @Haha: No dear.. it was your basit guy who kept calling and wanting to speak to the new foreign secretary of India.. and guess who asked ur basit to call India... yes.. daddy Obama.. besides the Indian guy is coming to push Indian agenda.. and to dish out orders.. !!

Deepak | 9 years ago | Reply @pk this chaiwalla has mandate of crores of people. Sad that your views are so low. Judge a man by his deeds not religion or profession. Yes even in-spite of being PM you can see him with broom. I don't want to mock anyone but it's unfortunate. This chaiwallas family live in modest house and Indians consider him incorruptible. We don't want a prince to rule us. We want a man who knows that we are modest country with great aspirations

Deepak | 9 years ago | Reply @haha He's our pm, and he knows that we need good relations in region. And as you know Indian voters are unforgiving, modi knows that if bjp doesn't deliver Indians would look for someone who do. What you seem to forget is that this man is PM because of performance. And he knows that he can't blame anyone. Because neither voters nor opposition will go soft on him.

pk | 9 years ago | Reply Modi diplomacy is not ur cup of tea which u used to sell on platforms, so be careful coz u r already a wrong number.

Tom | 9 years ago | Reply Indian foreign secretary is going to all SARRC nations, and would like to go to pakistan also. It is not to start dialogue with pakistan.

Rakib | 9 years ago | Reply Well done Narendra Modi. Bravo! You are about to cross the line from being a politician to becoming a Statesman..

dude | 9 years ago | Reply @Haha: what a comment!! oh! im on a pakistani newspaper.

kulwant singh | 9 years ago | Reply @Naush: My dear friend though none of my relatives are there on the other side of the border but most of my religious places especially Shri Nankana Sahib , and many good and sincere friends in Pakistan so when I see hate comments from both sides it pains me a lot. Due to the selfishness of our leaders the common man faces many problems the Muslims who have their relatives in India and Indian Muslims having relatives in Pakistan faces extreme difficulties in getting a visa and we always longs to visit Nankana Sahib. If good sense prevails we can live peacefully like USA and Canada. Hope good sense prevails among leaders of both Nations and the common man saved from unwanted difficulties the money we spend on defence is spent on Education, Health and other utilities. but we can only hope. Slam and good wishes.

Woz Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply @Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: You think of India as an enemy, we think of you as a sibling. If we are the enemy and you can never shake hands, look at Germany and its partners UK, France etc. India and China have border disputes , but their leaders get on , bilateral trade flourishes, China does and will continue to invest in India. China hates Japan, but it is one of their largest trade and investment partners I could go on and talk about ASEAN, Russia. I could talk about Chinese persecution of Muslims, banning Ramadan and the veil. You see things very simply, I hope you are not representative of Pakistanis , otherwise you will be the North Korea of the future.

MSS | 9 years ago | Reply Obama visits India. India's External Affairs Minister visits China. She is happy with the outcomes there. China's FM visits Pakistan. India's Trade Minister visits Pakistan. Again very positive about trade talks. China endorses India for a seat at the high table. Obama calls NS. NS makes loud noises about UN SC and India's unsuitability. Trade across LoC resumes. Pakistan's HC to India meets India's Foreign Secretary and there is talk about starting the dialogue. Modi calls NS. Wishes luck for World Cup. India's Foreign Secretary to visit Pakistan. It is happening too fast. Something big is cooking. That is for sure.

dave | 9 years ago | Reply @Asad Khan: You need to understand the diplomacy. China completely favors india . it just sees Pakistan as a scap goat.

Naush | 9 years ago | Reply May peace and love prevail over our egos and senseless confrontations. I have family and friends across the border, hence I speak for the sake of both sides and for our future generations. Let us focus our energy in fostering love and let us put pressure on our leaders to work towards peace and harmony.

Tyggar | 9 years ago | Reply @HaHaHa saying that moody called BD, SL won’t wash. Lol! repeating to yourself that you are special does not change anything. For us you are just one of the many neighbours taking part in the World Cup. The only difference is you keep begging us to talk to you. Comments above reinforce the logic behind Modi's response at the border. The moment you are a wee bit nice to Pakistan, they see it as a weakness. Wild animals do not understand love, they understand fear

whats in the name | 9 years ago | Reply @Pity, Yet again, Illogical thinking, rapes do not happen just because of Indian Youth spending time in Pakistani Websites. They happen for different set of reasons. Yes we do have poverty, which is being eradicated but not on the scale it has to be. We are sure it would be done as we have been able to eradicate Polio.

Mohammad Ali Siddiqui | 9 years ago | Reply US should categorically define its political and economical role whether US is with Pakistan or India? People of Pakistan do not want US to sail in two boats at a time. If US will leave Pakistan once and forever, it will be good for the country as Pakistanis would be able to stand on their own feet economically and at the same time will break the begging bowl. Shaking hand with India is shaking hand with enemy and no one in the world shake hand with enemy.

Tejaswi | 9 years ago | Reply @Haha: My friend, India doesn't need to obey what US orders. It's a sovereign nation. I can understand your mindset; that is not your problem as your mindset tells you that everybody obeys the US because it's a world power. Remember Shah Rukh Khan episode, India protested against detaining him at the airport. US immediately apologized to India. I wonder has ever US apologized to Pakistan against killing innocents in drone attacks?. That explains a lot.

HaHaHa | 9 years ago | Reply Now all those Indian trolls who were laughing at NS pushing Obama to block india's UNSC bid have gone into hiding - where are you wb, brute force, gp65? After you absorb the shock, think up some original excuses - saying that moody called BD, SL won't wash. Everyone knows that was just to cover his embarrassment.

Haha | 9 years ago | Reply Looks like the Indian call center brigade has arrived! Defend Modi Sarkar at all costs are their orders!

Vectra | 9 years ago | Reply Title misleading nothing such in Indian press but i think PM Modi called all SAARC members for world cup wishes as his 10 min shows which is too less for any regional issue talk.

Liberal | 9 years ago | Reply @whats in the name: Like I said, truth really hurts my friend.

Pity | 9 years ago | Reply @whats in the name: You know what, i have also wondered the same, that why has India not been able to eradicate poverty and rape from its country. Then I came to understand that it is because the majority of Indian youth spent time on Pakistani newspaper websites to do nitpicking on Pakistan. ET, you are pro-India, and I am sure you will not publish this but I am going to voice my opinion anyways.

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply @INDIAN: yeah right!!

meah | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistanis This is a tweet from Modi Spoke to President @ashrafghani, PM Sheikh Hasina, PM Nawaz Sharif & President Sirisena. Conveyed my best wishes for the Cricket World Cup. So there you go. Your PM isn't so special here.

Truth Prevails | 9 years ago | Reply Hurriyat se jitni baat kerni hey, abhi ker lo. Once dates for meeting are set, it is not allowed.

chaudhry | 9 years ago | Reply awesome

shy guy | 9 years ago | Reply @ABC: Obama is ur dad. Well congrats

Hamidullah Babu | 9 years ago | Reply Nothing important. I think that its trying to international political worm up in India & Pakistan

Kamal | 9 years ago | Reply Do'nt read too much into it. Modi called Bangladesh, Srilanka & Afghanistan head of state as well. Even if talk start what will happen? you can not live without Kashmir so do we.

malatesh | 9 years ago | Reply Did Pakistan given any assurance that they will not meet hurriyat leaders this time? Let us see..

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply NS calls Obama: Obama calls Modi: Modi calls NS: Now NS is confused, he calls himself.

INDIAN | 9 years ago | Reply Well PM Modi must have called due to reason below. 1) Each day all Pakistani beg to other nations that India should talk with pakistan. you can just all the news if you do not agree. well a good step if taken positive to maintain peace in world. of course if you all understand the meaning of peace.

Umer | 9 years ago | Reply Anhnnnn...... As expected, a call before Match (15.Feb.2015). Now same result of match as we are observing since 1992.

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply Looks like the Empire is very much intact.....only the Viceroy has changed.

whats in the name | 9 years ago | Reply I would often wonder as to why Pakistan has not progressed in Science and Technology the way India has progressed. And after going throught thre responses from people like @Haha, @Pity, @Patriotic Pakistani, @Liberal, @ABC, I am more than sure that I know the answer. No logical thinking. Skewed / Illogical thinking would not take any body anywhere. Sadly S&T needs logical thinking. Regards

Bobb Mack | 9 years ago | Reply @harsh: All signs indicating that world is changing fast, hopefully in good ways. And in order to achieve an atmosphere of peace and economic security no one should be made to feel left out. Or is it only realignment of positions with no overall material change?

Human | 9 years ago | Reply @harsh: We'll support Japan in getting UNSC seat then :p

Rayjay | 9 years ago | Reply @harsh: Pakistani news funny .. Modi called 5 saarc nations to wish for World Cup cricket..just check modi s tweets....[link text][1] [1]: http://Times of india

oBSERVER | 9 years ago | Reply @harsh: But you are already living there my friend. Just wait and see.

wb | 9 years ago | Reply So, the 56 inch chest crumpled before Barack.

Siraj Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply LOL! Modi called all SAARC leaders who are playing Cricket World cup. Nothing to do with regional issues. Atleast read Modi's tweets before twisting the facts.

Ishan | 9 years ago | Reply Modi called all the SAARC leaders to talk abound world cup 2015. Check his tweets. Uncle Sam cannot dominate India as they do to Pakistan.

Asad Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @harsh: ....Do you have reading comprehension issues my friend. [....China RESPECTS the ASPIRATION of India & Brazil....] ....and if you are in doubt then you can easily read out the communique between Pak & Chinese FM in Pakistan. It helps you out of your wonderland. regards,

Prakash | 9 years ago | Reply @ABC: Yeah. This is what his message said "Hey, want some entertainment? I am still ROFL from my call earlier!"

TheLegion | 9 years ago | Reply UNSC is a useless body just like the UN. But the real question is how can you discuss the regional matters in less than 10 minutes?

vinod | 9 years ago | Reply Hi All, PM Modi called to wish Good luck for World cup! In fact he called all the PM of ricket playing nation of SCARC countries.

harsh | 9 years ago | Reply In other news China supports India at UNSC http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-backs-bigger-role-for-india-brazil-at-unsc/article1-1316322.aspx Pak can live in its wonderland

ABC | 9 years ago | Reply Daddy must have asked Modi to call Pakistan

Shahid | 9 years ago | Reply NS on receiving this call from Modi: 'aaaa....ahh....hmmmmm...ahhhh.....sorry wrong number!'

Liberal | 9 years ago | Reply It seems Mr Modi did not like the ISPR revealing India's role in Balochistan and in funding the TTP. Truth hurts sometimes....

PrasadDeccani | 9 years ago | Reply OK; we understand pretty well that love triangle is established; what next?

Patriotic Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply This telephone call has been made after Pakistan Army's media conference on India's role in funding the TTP.

Pity | 9 years ago | Reply He would be asking our prime minister to instruct the military not to reveal India's involvement in supporting TTP and Baloch separatists.

Haha | 9 years ago | Reply Looks like Obama's visit had its effect. Modi has no choice but to obey. :)

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