ISLAMABAD: India Tuesday announced its Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar would be visiting Pakistan in March at “mutually convenient dates”, holding out an assurance that Jammu and Kashmir will be very much on the table. Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had welcomed Jaishankar’s visit.“In accordance with the prime minister’s directive, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will be undertaking a Saarc Yatra to all South Asian countries including Pakistan in March,” Spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbaruddin said on Tuesday. The ice-breaker after months of delay sees both sides now busy putting final touches to the agenda of the foreign secretary level talks. Commenting on the talks on Friday, Foreign Office spokesperson said: “Pakistan believes the issues and disputes between Pakistan and India need to be resolved through dialogue for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. We have never shied away from engaging India. We welcome the decision of the prime minister of India to send the foreign secretary to Pakistan. The dates have not been confirmed yet. The two foreign secretaries will hold talks to discuss all issues of common interest. The agenda is yet to be finalized”. Meanwhile, talking to the media on Facebook in Delhi, Akbaruddin commented: “We stand ready to talk with Pakistan in accordance with the Simla Agreement on all issues including Jammu and Kashmir.”
