Cautious yet forward-looking: Full text of Joint Statement released by Sushma Swaraj on Indo-Pakistan ties

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is in Pakistan attending the Heart of Asia conference along with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani released a joint statement on Wednesday.

The statement focused on defence, composite dialogue over Kashmir issue and is set to pave way for broader negotiations when Narendra Modi visits the country for SAARC summit.

Read the updates below:

• External affairs minister has said India and Pakistan have decided to restart composite dialogue. Addressing a brief news conference in Islamabad, Swaraj released a joint statement.

• The External Affairs Minister of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj led the Indian delegation to the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process in Islamabad on December 8-9, 2015. She called on the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and held discussions with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz.

• The EAM and the Adviser condemned terrorism and resolved to cooperate to eliminate it. They noted the successful talks on terrorism and security related issues in Bangkok by the two NSAs and decided that the NSAs will continue to address all issues connected to terrorism. The Indian side was assured of the steps being taken to expedite the early conclusion of the Mumbai trial.

• Both sides, accordingly, agreed to a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue and directed the Foreign Secretaries to work out the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the Dialogue including Peace and Security, CBMs, Jammu & Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, Economic and Commercial Cooperation, Counter-Terrorism, Narcotics Control, Humanitarian Issues, People to People exchanges and religious tourism.

• A meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj took place at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad.

• The discussion covered a number of issues from terrorism, regional situation, Kashmir dispute, to trade and bilateral ties among the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

• Sushma Swaraj announced on Wednesday Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Pakistan in 2016 to participate in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit.

• I will accompany the Indian premier during his trip, Swaraj said while speaking to reporters.