'Modi to attend SAARC conference in Islamabad'

LAHORE: Emphasizing the importance of reinitiating the stalled dialogue process between India and Pakistan, Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference in Islamabad.

Speaking exclusively to Geo News after arriving in Lahore on a two-day visit, he said he was unable to give an exact time-frame of the bilateral talks however emphasized on reinitiating the dialogue process before the 19th SAARC conference, scheduled to be held in Islamabad and Murree in November.

Commenting over Panama Papers leak, the Indian envoy said whatever was happening on the issue in Pakistan was its own matter. However, action against those named in the sham list has been kicked off in India, he added.

Bambawale dismissed the notion that only the game of cricket is being hindered between the two countries through some sort of conspiracy. He expressed the likelihood that bilateral cricket matches would soon begin.

Commenting further on bilateral ties between the two South Asian neighbours, the Indian high commissioner said talks must be held on all issues, including Kashmir. “India is ready and will go ahead with the talks,” he added.

Bambawale also hinted that a breakthrough was expected soon in the resumption of the dialogue process. He, however, added that no date has yet been finalised for the foreign secretary-level talks.

On arrest of the Indian spy in Pakistan, he said Kulbhushan Yadhav was an Indian national and a request had been made to Pakistan government for a meeting with him.

Expressing delight over the warm welcome accorded to him in Pakistan, Bambawale said he had taken tips from Pakistan’s former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar on how to strengthen ties between the two countries.