Swaraj in Islamabad with message of better relations

Heart of Asia Conference

Says looking forward to meeting Nawaz; Afghan deputy foreign minister for united approach in countering terrorism; Sartaj Aziz says Pakistan wants durable peace in Afghanistan; delegations from 14 participating states, 17 supporting countries and
12 international and regional organisations attending moot

ISLAMABAD: All roads in the region led to Islamabad on Tuesday, as high ranking delegations, ministers and senior officials gathered here in support of Afghanistan, the land-locked country which the poet Allama Iqbal called the “Heart of Asia”.

Afghanistan and India put aside their differences with Pakistan as they arrived to support the Fifth Heart of Asia Conference, which kicked off with a ministerial conference of senior officials.

On her arrival, Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj threw her weight behind Afghanistan as well as seeking better ties with Pakistan. Her visit is also important for Pakistan as not only is this her first visit as the foreign minister but also it has been over three years since an Indian foreign minister has visited Pakistan.

“It is a crucial conference [Heart of Asia] that I have come to attend,” she said, adding she hoped for improved relations between the two countries and that was the message she brought with her.

“I am looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz and Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz,” she added.The normally sleepy capital was alive with high-ranking delegations from 14 participating states, 17 supporting countries and 12 international and regional organisations, making a beeline for the conference. beeline for the conference.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the meeting on Wednesday, an initiative launched in 2011 by Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the UAE.

Trade and economic cooperation, energy, counter terrorism, counter narcotics, disaster management, regional infrastructure and education, were all areas where these regional countries were willing to cooperate with Afghanistan.

“Conducive political and security environment is vital for promoting regional economic cooperation and connectivity. Our region is mired in dire security challenges which are hampering our socio-economic development. The theme of this Heart of Asia-Istanbul Conference ‘Enhanced Cooperation for Countering Security Threats and Promoting Connectivity in the Heart of Asia Region’ is, therefore, pertinent to the needs of our region”, said Adviser on Foreign Policy Sartaj Aziz as he addressed the Senior Officials Meeting which was jointly hosted with Afghanistan.

Hekmat Khalil Karzai, Afghan deputy foreign minister, meanwhile called for a united approach towards countering terrorism and violent extremism, stressing that the timing of the conference is critical as the region confronts many challenges and the activities of militant groups demand a joined effort towards fighting militancy in its various forms.

Karzai stressed Afghanistan’s desire for strong relations with regional countries whose interests would be best served with a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.Earlier, Sartaj Aziz, reiterated, “Pakistan wants durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. Instability in Afghanistan is not in our interest. We will, therefore, continue to support all endeavours aiming at strengthening peace and security in Afghanistan”.

He added that as the Heart of Asia-Istanbul process is maturing, the focus should  be on strengthening their  engagement and collaboration with a view to effectively combating the formidable challenges confronting the region, in the field of security as well as promoting regional economic interaction.