Sushma Swaraj arrives in Pakistan: As it happened on Tuesday

Sushma Swaraj while leaving for Pakistan, at Palam technical airport in Delhi

Islamabad: Pakistan's top diplomat Sartaz Aziz on Tuesday said that his country will support all endeavours aimed at strengthening peace and security in Afghanistan as a conference on regional security began here.

08 December 2015

21:34 IST

EAM Sushma Swaraj in Islamabad (Pakistan), meets Pak Foreign Min Sartaj Aziz at dinner for Heart of Asia delegates. https://t.co/LikeOsePAP

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 8, 2015

21:34 IST

EAM Sushma Swaraj in Islamabad (Pakistan), meets Pakistan Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz. pic.twitter.com/kT0WJY1nsk

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 8, 2015

21:02 IST

My message is that we should take our engagement forward and improve ties: Aziz

21:00 IST

My expectations are good and positive from talks: Sartaj Aziz on meeting with Sushma Swaraj tomorrow

20:42 IST

Islamabad (Pakistan): Heart Of Asia Summit's reception dinner hosted by Pakistan Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz pic.twitter.com/zHOGcGyPyR

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 8, 2015

19:07 IST

EAM @SushmaSwaraj makes arrival statement in Islamabad pic.twitter.com/gMPn3L3D57

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 8, 2015

19:07 IST

Message that I've come with is that our (Indo-Pak) relations should become much better and should move forward: EAM pic.twitter.com/IBo5NY6ubU

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 8, 2015

18:34 IST

Upon arrival in Islamabad, Sushma says 'Heart of Asia' conference is important because it is associated with Afghanistan. "That is why I came specially to attend this," the minister said.

She added that she will meet Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif and her counterpart Sartaj Aziz. " Efforts will be on to improve (bilateral) relations," she added.

18:20 IST

EAM Sushma Swaraj arrives in Islamabad (source: PTV) pic.twitter.com/1SE12ldYml

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 8, 2015

16:42 IST

EAM Sushma Swaraj leaves for Pakistan to attend 'Heart of Asia' summit.

16:38 IST

Congress expresses support to Swaraj's visit to Islamabad, urges EAM to raise the issue of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed and wanted underworld don Dawood Ibrahim who are allegedly taking refuge on Pakistan soil.

15:31 IST

The US today said that it supports "any and all positive steps" India and Pakistan take to reduce tensions and engage in dialogue as it welcomed their NSA-level talks in Bangkok.

13:33 IST

In our view, closer regional cooperation can play an effective role in eliminating the scourge of terrorism: Sartaj Aziz.

Our resolute struggle against terrorism is now bringing the fruit of peace and prosperity to our people: Sartaj Aziz.

During last few years, Pakistan has suffered huge human and economic losses due to this menace (terrorism): Sartaj Aziz.

13:26 IST

Terrorism continues to be a major threat to global and regional peace: Sartaj Aziz.

Heart of Asia effective platform for promoting regional economic cooperation in Heart of Asia region with Afghanistan at center: Sartaj Aziz.

13:24 IST

Pakistan wants durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. Instability in Afghanistan is not in our interest: Sartaj Aziz

It gives me immense pleasure to warmly welcome you at Islamabad: Sartaj Aziz

13:22 IST

Afghanistan conference opens, hopes for peace talks slim.

11:56 IST

Islamabad is on high alert as EAM Sushma Swaraj and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrive in Pakistan’s capital today to attend a regional conference on Afghanistan.

11:42 IST

Pakistan will continue to support all endeavours aimed at ensuring peace and security in Afghanistan: Sartaz Aziz

SAARC Charter, signed 30 years ago, has played an imp role in bringing the SAARC member states closer to each other: Pak PM.

11:41 IST

Pak remains firmly committed to the principle of the SAARC Charter, and we shall continue to play our role in furthering the objectives of the organization for the welfare of the South Asian nations: Pak PM.

It gives me immense pleasure to extend warm felicitations, on behalf of the Govt and People of Pakistan to Peoples & Govts of all SAARC Member States on occasion of 30th anniversary of SAARC & 31st SAARC Charter Day (8th Dec): Pak PM (Source: Pak MoFA)

10:41 IST

Defence experts rule out possibilities of any dramatic outcome from EAM Swaraj's visit to Pakistan.

10:09 IST

EAM Swaraj to meet Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif tomorrow, will also have bilateral meeting with Sartaj Aziz.

10:01 IST

EAM Sushma Swaraj to attend dinner hosted by Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to Pak PM, for all ministerial delegates in Islamabad today.

09:36 IST

"Talks are the only solution," the Daily Pakistan quoted Aziz as saying.

In Islamabad, the Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said he was looking forward to meeting Sushma Swaraj.

09:33 IST

Matters of conflict between Pakistan and India would be discussed in the meeting and a road map would be devised to resume the composite bilateral dialogue during the visit, as per reports.

09:30 IST

Swaraj's visit comes two days after National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan met on Sunday in Bangkok.

09:23 IST

The External Affairs Minister will call on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and meet his Adviser on Foreign Affairs Aziz on the sidelines of the 'Heart of Asia' regional conference on Afghanistan on Wednesday.

09:22 IST

It will be the first ministerial-level visit from India to Pakistan since the visit of SM Krishna in 2012.

09:20 IST

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will also arrive in Islamabad on Wednesday to attend the two-day summit.

Swaraj will travel to Pakistan for a regional security conference and will lead the Indian delegation for Heart of Asia 5th Ministerial Meeting on Afghanistan on December 9 in Islamabad.

09:17 IST

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup yesterday confirmed Swaraj's Pakistan visit on twitter:

EAM @SushmaSwaraj to lead Indian delegation for Heart of Asia 5th Ministerial Meeting on Afghanistan on December 9 in Islamabad

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 7, 2015