External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left for Islamabad this evening to attend a regional conference on Afghanistan "Hearty of Asia". Ms. Swaraj would also meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the conference. She is also scheduled to meet Mr Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.<br/><br/>Ms. Swaraj's visit comes two days after talks between the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan in Bangkok, where they discussed terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir and a range of key bilateral issues apart from agreeing to carry forward the constructive engagement.<br/><br/>Ms. Swaraj will also be accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has confirmed his presence in the Conference. The focus would be on participating nations' commitment to Afghanistan over energy deals, infrastructure and investment.<br/><br/>US has welcomed recently-held NSA-level talks between India and Pakistan in Bangkok. A State Department Spokesperson said, normalisation of relations between the two neighbours is vital to both countries and the region. US also welcomed Pakistan's hosting of Heart of Asia Conference and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj's participation in it.