Delhi to bat with Imran Khan on SAARC?

Islamabad/New Delhi: In a signal that India may be considering attending the Saarc summit that will be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad this November, the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, called on Pakistan's Prime Minister-elect, Imran Khan on Friday . This is Delhi's first diplomatic outreach since relations hit an impasse after a series of terror attacks on Indian army outposts that led to an India-led boycott of the 2016 Saarc summit.  

Speaking after the meeting with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief at his residence, Mr Khan said that his government was committed to improving ties with neighbor India. He reiterated his call for better ties, an end to the blame game and 'resumption of talks' between the two countries.

“Chairman PTI welcomed the positive message conveyed by the Indian High Commissioner on behalf of his government and reiterated his hope for both countries to move forward for the betterment of the people of the subcontinent.” The Indian envoy felicitated Imran Khan on his party's thumping victory in July 25 general elections and conveyed his leadership's messages of goodwill.

“India is confident that relations with Pakistan will take a turn for the positive,” Mr Bisaria said.  The Indian high commission in Pakistan said in a statement: “The Indian High Commissioner briefed the PTI leadership on India's concerns about terrorism and cross-border infiltration.” The PTI chairman Imran Khan, who is all set to take oath as prime minister of Pakistan on August 18, has already had meetings with envoys of US, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UK and UAE.