 "Swaraj in Pakistan")
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today reached out to Pakistan in her speech at the Heart of Asia summit in Islamabad.
She said, "Let me take this opportunity to extend our hand to Pakistan as well. It is time we display the maturity and self-confidence to do business with each other and strengthen regional and trade cooperation."
This is a significant change in stance and follows the positive interaction between PM Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Paris recently.
The Heart of Asia summit this time is focused on Afghanistan and on promoting connectivity and security in the region.
Swaraj said that India wants the region to prosper through interlinked trade, transit, energy and communication routes. She also added, "Nothing can benefit Afghanistan more than full and direct overland access to India’s markets."
Swaraj also said that India is willing to receive Afghan trucks at Attari and can to join Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade & Transit Agreements.
EAM @SushmaSwaraj commences address at HoA pic.twitter.com/iaprSPEP2L
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 9, 2015
EAM @SushmaSwaraj makes arrival statement in Islamabad pic.twitter.com/gMPn3L3D57
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 8, 2015
