A day after India and Pakistan agreed to carry forward the constructive dialogue post the meeting between the National Security Advisors and Foreign Secretaries of both nations in the Thai capital, the government today confirmed that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would visit Pakistan on Tuesday.
"SushmaSwaraj to lead Indian delegation for Heart of Asia 5th Ministerial Meeting on Afghanistan on December 9 in Islamabad," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy also confirmed Swaraj's visit to Islamabad and said that she would brief both the houses of Parliament in detail on the present status of Indo-Pak relations once she returns.
"Sushma Swaraj will be visiting Pakistan tomorrow and once she returns, she will give a detailed statement about the discussions with Pakistan over issues including Terrorism. The government is fully prepared to give an updated status of Indo-Pak talks and this has been communicated to both the houses," Rudy told the media outside the Parliament.
This is the first official confirmation by the government as earlier unconfirmed reports were floating regarding Swaraj's Pakistan visit.
Earlier on Sunday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar met their Pakistani counterparts Nasir Janjua and Aizaz Chaudhry in Bangkok and discussed a range of issues, including peace and security, terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir.
According to reports, the meeting was agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif when they met in Paris last week on the sidelines of COP-21.
A joint statement issued later said that the discussions "covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, other issues, including tranquility over the Line of Control".
