India would like to work with Pakistan to help SAARC achieve its potential. That was the message conveyed at a meeting that S. Jaishankar, Indian Foreign Secretary, had with his Pakistani counterpart in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Jaishankar is in Pakistan as a part of a SAARC yatra. He visited Bhutan and Bangladesh before arriving in Pakistan. On Wednesday the Indian Foreign Secretary will be in Afghanistan, the last stop on his SAARC yatra.
``I conveyed the expectations of our leadership on SAARC and their determination to forge a cooperative relationship with all our neighbours. We discussed ideas and initiatives to take SAARC forward," the Indian Foreign Secretary told the media in Pakistan in a statement.
He added that his visit naturally provided an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations. ``We engaged on each other’s concerns and interests in an open manner. We agreed to work together to find common ground and narrow differences. I reiterated our known concerns on cross-border terrorism, including on the Mumbai case," he said, adding that both agreed that ensuring peace and tranquillity on the border was vital.
“Our talks were held in a constructive and positive atmosphere," the Foreign Secretary said.
Later in the day, the Foreign Secretary is to call on the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.