ISLAMABAD, DEC 03, (DNA) –  Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz arrived in Amritsar this evening, where he will attend a dinner hosted by Indian PM Narendra Modi besides participating in the Heart of Asia conference.

Sartaj Aziz was to leave for India on Sunday morning. The sudden change in schedule has been seen as part of last-minute efforts for talks with India on the sidelines of Heart of Asia conference.

The regional moot began today in Amritsar, India, with foreign secretary session held on its first day. Representatives from over 30 countries are attending the conference.

The foreign adviser reached Amritsar through a private jet to attend the banquet hosted by PM Modi in honour of representatives from member states and international observers. Foreign Offices sources, however, said Aziz departed earlier in view of weather conditions.

on the sidelines of the regional moot, will hold meetings with PM Narendra and representatives from other member states.

His meeting with Afghan representatives at the Heart of Asia conference is being seen as vital to the bilateral ties between the two countries in coming days.

The conference has been taking place at a time of heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours over Kashmir and continuing skirmishes at the border.

Earlier on Thursday, FO spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that Pakistan, despite India’s negativity in scuttling SAARC, would attend the Heart of Asia Conference due to its commitment to Afghanistan’s peace and stability.

He added that Pakistan would not accept any pre-conditions for holding dialogue with India.

Zakaria said, “The current phase of indigenous self-determination movement in Indian occupied Kashmir had entered into the fifth month and was continuing in the face of worst violations of human rights of defenceless Kashmiris at the hands of Indian occupation forces.”=DNA

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