Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to go on SAARC Yatra

The PM tweeted: “Would be sending our new foreign secretary on a SAARC Yatra soon to further strengthen our ties.” The MEA, at a briefing later, hinted that bilateral issues would be discussed.

Sources said Mr Modi set the tone in his conversation with the Pakistan PM by recalling that Mr Sharif, as Punjab CM in the late 1980s, had played a warm-up match with cricket legend (and now politician) Imran Khan. Mr Sharif reportedly grinned and recalled those days fondly.

India had cancelled proposed foreign secretary-level talks in August at the eleventh hour because the Pakistan high commissioner in New Delhi held consultations with Kashmiri separatist leaders. Sources said Pakistan will not be under any pressure now to talk to the Hurriyat as the Indian foreign secretary will focus on the ‘Saarc agenda’ during the ‘yatra’, even though bilateral issues will find mention in the discussions. Pakistan will, however, not be Mr Jaishankar’s first destination during the yatra.

According to reports, Sharif welcomed the foreign secretary’s proposed visit “to discuss all issues of common interest”, the Pakistan PM’s spokesperson said in Islamabad.

Asked about the Prime Minister’s focus on cricket, the MEA spokesman said cricket was a metaphor for connectivity, adding that “multi-layer diplomacy” would lead to “people-to-people engagement”.

Noting that five Saarc nations are playing and are excited about the World Cup, Mr Modi said, “I am sure WC will celebrate sportsman spirit and will be a treat.”