Pakistan gives go-ahead to India for dialogue as Heart of Asia conference begins

AMRITSAR - Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan is ready for dialogue with India whenever India is ready.

In an interview with an Indian publication on Saturday, Aziz, who is representing Pakistan in the ongoing Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar, said Pakistan wants peace and is ready to come to the table for negotiations with India.

He said that the conference focuses on the complex security situation facing the region and as a result, terrorism and extremism are likely to come under discussion in event of negotiations with India. He added that negotiations are crucial for maintaining peace in the region.

Sartaj also had  a brief talk with Indian's National Security Advisor Ajeet Doval where he stressed the need for peace.

Earlier, on Sunday Sartaj Aziz met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani during the Conference where the two leaders discussed peace and progress in the region and security situation in Afghanistan in particular.

The second and concluding day of Heart of Asia conference has kicked off in Amritsar after a formal group photo. Afghan president Ashraf Ghani would be addressing the audience today.

Sartaj Aziz arrived in Amritsar on Saturday to participate in the Heart of Asia Conference, where he also attended a banquet hosted in honour of representatives from different states and international observers.

Sartaj Aziz shook hands with PM Narendra Modi, where the latter inquired with him about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Aziz conveyed PM Sharif's best wishes to Narendra Modi, which the Indian premier reciprocated with his well wishes for his Pakistani counterpart.