External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday called on Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, amid efforts by both countries to revive the stalled dialogue process to improve ties.
Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and Mr. Sharif’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz were among those present during the meeting.
Earlier, Ms. Swaraj, speaking at a multilateral meet on Afghanistan, said it was time India and Pakistan display “maturity and self-confidence” to do business with each other as the world was rooting for a change.
“World rooting for a change”
“It is time that we display the maturity and self-confidence to do business with each other and strengthen regional trade and cooperation. The entire world is waiting and rooting for a change. Let us not disappoint them.
“For its part, India is prepared to move our cooperation at a pace which Pakistan is comfortable with,” she said.
Prime Minister Sharif also hosted a lunch for the heads of delegations at the conference.
Two-day visit
Ms. Swaraj arrived here on Tuesday on a two-day visit to attend the ‘Heart of Asia’ ministerial conference on Afghanistan.
Her visit here came days after talks between the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of India and Pakistan in Bangkok, where they discussed terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir and a range of key bilateral issues apart from agreeing to carry forward the “constructive” engagement.
A joint statement issued after the meeting of NSAs said the talks were held pursuant to a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Sharif on the sidelines of the climate meet in Paris.
Before Paris, Mr. Modi and Mr. Sharif had held a bilateral meeting in Russian city of Ufa where they decided that their NSAs would meet to discuss all “terror-related” issues.
However, Pakistan had called-off Mr. Aziz’ visit after New Delhi had made it clear that he would not be allowed to meet Kashmiri separatist leaders in the Indian capital.
