Ahead of 'Heart of Asia' conference, PM Narendra Modi visits Golden Temple, serves 'langar​'

Amritsar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived here on Saturday evening to inaugurate the 'Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process' conference.

The Prime Minister was received by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the Chief Minister's daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur and Union Minister of State VK Singh.

After his arrival, the Prime Minister went to Golden Temple where he met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. The two leaders were seen hugging eachg other and exchanging pleasantries.

PM Modi and President Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of the conference, which will see over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday.

Modi, Ghani and other world dignitaries attending the conference paid obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple. PM Modi also served 'langar' at the Golden Temple.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz today reached Amritsar to attend the ministerial conference. On his arrival Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS for kidney failure.

With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India in the ministerial conference. He is reaching here on Sunday.

To showcase rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government is hosting a dinner for the visiting dignitaries at a heritage village, named 'Sadda Pind' or 'our village', located on the outskirts of this holy city.

Modi and Ghani will also attend the dinner hosted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.