Jaishankar's Pak visit to improve bilateral relations, says security expert

Security expert Qamar Agha on Tuesday said the visit of Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyan Jaishankar to Islamabad will improve the relationship between the two nations.

"I think it will definitely create a better atmosphere between the people. India believes in having closer ties with Pakistan, not only Pakistan but all its neighbours and South Asian countries. That's the policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That is why he invited leaders of all the SAARC countries in his swearing in ceremony time," he said.

He said that Jaishankar should bring up issues like cross-border infiltration and violation of ceasefire during the visit.

Meanwhile, foreign affairs expert Kamal Mitra Chenoy didn't find any strong reasons for the visit.

"I don't see it at all, what does it mean? What is the agenda of the meeting? If the foreign secretary is going there, there should be a briefing for the journalists of what the agenda is. There is no secrecy between Pakistan-India on relations," said Chenoy.

Jaishankar will be visiting Islamabad today as part of SAARC visit, where he will be holding talks with his Pakistan's counterpart, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

He is also expected to meet Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

After his visit to Islamabad today, Jaishankar will travel to Afghanistan on March 4.

He will undertake visits to Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal later.