ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday that ties between India and Pakistan must improve and move forward.
Talking briefly to the media upon arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi on Tuesday evening, the Indian external affairs minister said that she had arrived to attend the Heart of Asia Conference because it was being held in Pakistan and was related to Afghanistan.
“Therefore it has significance for India,” Sushma Swaraj added.
The Indian minister said that she was looking forward to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz.
Sushma Swaraj further said that efforts would be made to bring normalcy in the bilateral relationship.
The fifth Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference is jointly being hosted by Pakistan and Afghanistan and its main purpose 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 representatives and high ranking delegations including foreign ministers from 14 participating states, 17 supporting countries and 12 international and regional organizations are attending the Conference.
The fifth Ministerial Conference is expected to adopt a forward-looking Islamabad Declaration titled – ‘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.
Source: APP/DND
