Pakistan is likely to boost its role in SAARC under the Imran Khan government which will assume charge soon. An indication on this came at the first meeting between the newly elected leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Ajay Bisaria, Indian High Commissioner, on Friday.
“Khan Sahab expressed the hope that the SAARC Summit would be held soon in Islamabad. The Indian High Commissioner said post the phone call from Mr. [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi to Mr. Khan, there was a new optimism in India that relations would move forward positively,” said Shirin Mazari, who is expected to be the next Defence Minister of Pakistan, on social media.
The summit-level meeting of the group had been uncertain since bilateral ties between India and Pakistan created a hurdle. An official source said Indian participation in the summit would ensure a visit by Prime Mr. Modi to Pakistan.
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Ms. Mazari said bilateral issues such as Kashmir were discussed at Friday’s meeting.
Mr. Bisaria gifted a cricket bat signed by the players of the present Indian team to Mr. Khan. A press statement issued by the Indian High Commission said Mr. Bisaria raised the need to stop cross-border terrorism.