Foreign Secy Jaishankar to visit Pakistan soon

New Delhi: In an ice-breaking move after a six-month hiatus in Indo-Pak ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif after which it was announced that Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will visit Islamabad when he will "push bilateral agenda".

Using cricket diplomacy, Modi called leaders of four SAARC nations which, along with India, are participating in cricket World Cup starting on Sunday. He conveyed best wishes to their teams. Thereafter, Modi announced that Jaishankar will undertake a "SAARC yatra" soon to strengthen relationship with them.

The "yatra" will take him to Pakistan with which India broke off foreign secretary-level talks in August last at the eleventh hour because the Pakistan High Commissioner here held consultations with Kashmiri separatists.

Sharif welcomed the foreign secretary's proposed visit "to discuss all issues of common interest", Pakistan Prime Minister's Spokesperson said in Islamabad.

On Friday, moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference said talks are the only way forward for resolving all the outstanding issues between India and Pakistan including Kashmir.

"Talks are the only option between the two neighbours to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir," moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement.

"The dialogue holds the key for both the nuclear powered neighbours to move forward, keeping in mind the past bitter experiences," the Hurriyat said.