Sushma Swaraj to visit Pakistan on Tuesday

New Delhi/Islamabad: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Pakistan on Tuesday for a meeting on Afghanistan, it was announced here on Monday.

"EAM Sushma Swaraj to lead Indian delegation for Heart of Asia 5th Ministerial Meeting on Afghanistan on December 9 in Islamabad," external affairs ministry's official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Earlier in the day, union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: "Tomorrow (Tuesday) Sushma Swaraj is leaving for Islamabad and will give a statement after coming back."

"The government will brief in detail on talks in both houses (parliament) once Sushma Swaraj returns from Islamabad," Rudy told the media in Delhi.

In Islamabad, Pakistan prime minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Monday said he was looking forward to meet Sushma Swaraj.
"Looking forward to meet Sushma Swaraj, talks are the only solution," the Daily Pakistan quoted Aziz as saying.

Aziz said there have been breakthroughs in dialogue with Afghanistan and India and Pakistan's ties with two countries will now further be strengthened.
Sushma Swaraj's visit comes after the National Security Advisers of India and Pakistan met in Thai capital Bangkok on Sunday and "agreed to carry forward the constructive engagement".

A joint statement issued after the Bangkok meeting said Ajit Doval of India and Naseer Khan Janjua of Pakistan held discussions "in a candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere".

Foreign secretaries S. Jaishanker of India and Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry of Pakistan also took part in the meeting.
"Discussions covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues including tranquility along the LoC (Line of Control)", the statement said.

IANS