TIA NEWS
India today said that no request has been received from Pakistan for bilateral meeting on the sidelines of 6th Heart of Asia Conference beginning this Saturday.
MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said this while responding to a media query in New Delhi today. Amritsar will host the conference to discuss peace, cooperation and economic development in Afghanistan.
Briefing on the conference, Afghan Ambassador to India Dr Shaida Abdali said, terrorism is greatest threat facing the region and Afghanistan hopes that Heart of Asia conference will adopt a counter-terror framework.
Expressing condolences for the tragic terror attack in Nagrota, Dr Abdali said Afghanistan condemns it in the strongest possible terms.
Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Gopal Bagley said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will inaugurate the Conference.
He said, Finance minister Arun Jaitley will co-chair Heart of Asia conference, instead of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who is unwell. Ministers from as many as 40 countries will attend the event.