UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon meets Nawaz Sharif; emphasises on improved India-Pakistan ties

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon today emphasised on the need for improved relations between Pakistan and India during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Tajikistan.

Ban met Sharif in Dushanbe on the margins of the High-Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade, "Water for Life".

"The Secretary-General emphasised the need for improved relations between Pakistan and India," according to a readout of the meeting issued by Ban's spokesperson.

On the issue of countering terrorism, the Secretary- General stressed the importance of addressing root causes.

"The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister also discussed relations among countries in the region, including Afghanistan and Central Asian countries," the readout said.

The UN Chief also asked for Pakistan's support in adopting and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ban also met with Chief Executive Officer of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah on the margins of the conference.

The Secretary-General and Abdullah discussed the development of a comprehensive plan of action to counter violent extremism.

He underscored the need to implement a range of reforms, including the rule of law and electoral issues.

The Secretary-General congratulated Abdullah on the realisation of transition processes in Afghanistan.

They also exchanged views on Afghanistan's relationships with neighbouring countries, according to a separate readout of the meeting provided by Ban's spokesperson.

The Secretary-General asked for Afghanistan's support in adopting and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, it said.

Ban began his five-day trip to Central Asia today with a visit to Tajikistan to be followed by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.