Pak FS in India: Mandated to take peace process forward

Ahead of the Indo-Pak foreign secretary-level talks, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani on Tuesday said he has been "mandated" by his leadership to move the peace process forward and was looking forward to a "very constructive" dialogue with his Indian counterpart on Tuesday.

"Let me tell you that I have brought a message of goodwill, peace and prosperity from the people of Pakistan for the people of India and the leadership of India....I am looking forward to a very constructive dialogue with my counterpart Ranjan Mathai," Jilani said after his arrival.

The Pakistan foreign secretary was received by Yash Sinha, joint secretary (PIA) in ministry of external affairs and other senior officials.

Jilani also said, "I have been mandated by the leadership to move this peace process forward."

"During our talks, we will discuss peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges," he said.

As the meeting is taking place in the backdrop of the deportation from Saudi Arabia of Zabiuddin, aka Abu Jundal, who has revealed that he, along with LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, was in the control room in Pakistan during 26/11 Mumbai carnage, New Delhi is expected to flag the issue.

Apart from terror, the issue of release of Indian prisoner Sarabjeet Singh, who is on death row for the last 20 years, is also expected to be taken up by India.