Sushma leaves for Islamabad today to attend Heart of Asia Conference

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is traveling to Pakistan on a two-day visit starting today. She will lead Indian delegation to attend Heart of Asia Conference in Islamabad, the two-day ministerial meeting on Afghanistan that begins today. Ms. Swaraj would also meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the conference. She is also scheduled to meet Mr Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

Ms. Swaraj's visit comes two days after talks between the National Security Advisors 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.

Ms. Swaraj will also be accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has confirmed his presence in the Conference. The focus would be on participating nations' commitment to Afghanistan over energy deals, infrastructure and investment.

US has welcomed recently-held NSA-level talks between India and Pakistan in Bangkok.