Senior official level talks begin at ‘Heart of Asia’ ministerial conference in Amritsar

The senior official level talks of the ‘Heart of Asia’ kicked off to discuss Amritsar Declaration ahead of the ministerial talks that will take place on Sunday.

The talks that started at the venue, Radisson Hotel, will discuss regional issues, particularly encouraging peace, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours.

Delegates from over 30 countries, including around 15 Asian nations, will be participating in the conference, whose theme this year is ‘Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity’.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will be landing in the Holy city Saturday evening, the duo will be formally inaugurating the ministerial monference on Sunday morning.

With Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj unwell, finance minister Arun Jaitley will be representing the country in the ministerial talks.

A Pakistani delegation led by Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Pakistan PM on Foreign Affairs will also be reaching on Sunday.

Officials of the foreign ministry of various countries and few foreign ministers who have already reached the Holy City will be going to Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh on Saturday evening.