'Pakistan attaches great importance to good ties with India'

Islamabad: Pakistan accords great importance to good ties with India and the presence of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at a regional meet would strengthen the common desire of peace and stability in the region, a top aide of Premier Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs (SAPM), Syed Tariq Fatemi, during a farewell call by outgoing Indian High Commissioner T C A Raghavan, described Swaraj's participation at the 'Heart of Asia' conference as a "welcome gesture".

"Stressing that Pakistan attached great importance to establishing good neighourly relations with India, the SAPM underscored that the Indian Foreign Minister's presence in the 'Heart of Asia: Istanbul Process' was a welcome gesture," Foreign Office said in a statement.

Fatemi said it would help strengthen the common desire of the two countries to establish peace and stability in the region.

He appreciated the services of Raghavan for his efforts to improve relations between Pakistan and India during his tenure as India's High Commissioner.

Fatemi expressed hope that the incoming Indian High Commissioner would also continue to promote cordial ties between the two countries.

Swaraj last week travelled to Pakistan where she attended the 'Heart of Asia' ministerial conference on Afghanistan. During her two-day visit, Swaraj called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and held talks with her counterpart Sartaj Aziz.

In the meeting, the two countries decided to engage in a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue. The Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India will meet next month in Delhi to work out the details of the dialogue.