Sushma Swaraj begins news conference in Delhi

New Delhi, Aug.22 : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has begun her news conference here with a statement that she will be travelling out of the country tomorrow.

Swaraj began her press conference at 4.13 p.m.

The press conference are taking place a day after India and Pakistan sparred through verbal and written statements over Islamabad’s determination and intention to meet with separatist leaders from Kashmir ahead of the proposed August 23 and 24 NSA talks.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that its High Commissioner’s invitation to the Kashmiri Hurriyat leadership on August 23 was very much in keeping with the practice and tradition of the past many years.

While India’s Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) sent across a strong message to Pakistan, insisting that there are only two stakeholders in the talks between India and Pakistan and added that New Delhi is committed to discuss the issues peacefully and bilaterally.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is scheduled to meet his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz for the talks in the national capital on Monday. (ANI)