In first interview after his return from Heart of Asia Conference in Indian city Amritsar, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Monday that if India desired a joint meeting of national security advisers and foreign secretaries could be held. However, he hastened to add, under present circumstances, there were no great expectations from Indian Prime Minister Modi's government.
Speaking to Aaj News anchor Asma Shirazi in her program Faisla Aap Ka, Aziz further said that Pakistan welcomes Iranian offer for mediation on the Kashmir issue but India was not interested in the settlement of the Kashmir issue. He said that the Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar failed to achieve its basic goals but our role at that forum was important. "Had we not attended the conference, India would have got a free hand. India's negative attitude harmed SAARC also," he said, adding that his meeting with Afghan president Ashraf Ghani was held in a pleasant environment and positive talks were held on assistance against terrorism but his tone changed surprisingly after his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi. Sartaj Aziz said that Russia and China termed Pakistan's role in Afghanistan as unavoidable despite negative propaganda by the Indian media. "Iranian offer for mediation on Kashmir augurs well," he said. The advisor on foreign affairs said that those who were trained with the help of the US now engaged in attacks on Pakistan.