External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on a two-day visit of Pakistan. She is expected to meet her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during the visit. This is the first visit by an Indian external affairs minister to Pakistan since SM Krishna went there in 2012.

"I have come with the message that ties between the two countries should be good and move forward," said Swaraj, as reported by PTI. She added, "It is necessary and appropriate for me to hold talks with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and his adviser Sartaj Aziz to discuss bilateral issues." She said that efforts will be made to take forward bilateral ties.

The external affairs minister will also lead the Indian delegation for the Heart of Asia conference, the fifth ministerial meeting on Afghanistan.