Pak summons envoy in India for consultations ahead of S Jaishankar's visit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has summoned its High Commissioner in India for consultations ahead of a planned visit by Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.

Abdul Basit has already reached here from New Delhi, according to a Foreign Office official.

"He is now part of in-house talks to prepare for the visit of the Indian foreign secretary," said the official.

After meeting Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, Basit would also meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz.

Jaishankar would arrive here on March 3 on a two-day trip.

India and Pakistan are expected to discuss all outstanding issues in bilateral ties during the visit by the top Indian diplomat.

Jaishankar's visit is taking place after a tense diplomatic standoff after India unilaterally called off a planned trip by its Foreign Secretary in August over Basit's meeting with Kashmir separatist leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Sharif on February 13 and the two sides agreed for resumption of diplomatic contacts.