ISLAMABAD, SEPT 11 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday has departed for Iran on an official visit to hold talks with senior Iranian officials on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest in terms of regional and international strategies.

According to informed sources, Khawaja Asif will hold meetings with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during his one-day visit to Tehran. He will also discuss US President Donald Trump’s new strategy in Afghanistan with the Iranian leaders.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua are accompanying the foreign minister on his visit.

Asif had recently visited China where during a joint press conference with Chinese counterpart, he asserted that there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict.

“The relations between China and Pakistan are exemplary,” he had said, adding that Pakistan deeply values China’s support for the country’s territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed support for Pakistan in war against terrorism while stating that peace in Afghanistan remains in the best interest of both countries.

“China will continue its support to Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty,” Yi said.

It merits to mention here that Pakistan’s decision to approach regional countries come after US President Donald Trump’s blistering accusations of habouring terrorists on Pakistani soil and prolonging Afghan insurgency while unveiling his new policy for the region.

Last week, Asif had postponed his meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Washington. Pakistani government also delayed the visit of Alice Wells, acting assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs, to Islamabad.