NEW DELHI: Indian Premier Manmohan Singh has confirmed his visit to the UN General Assembly in September, paving the way for a much-awaited meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

It is understood that the Indian government has already conveyed to Pakistani authorities that Mr Singh is willing to meet Mr Sharif in New York in the last week of September.

Mr Singh had skipped the UNGA last year, but is expected to attend the meeting this year, which perhaps has led to a proposal from Islamabad for a meeting with Mr Sharif on the sidelines.

Mr Sharif’s special adviser on foreign affairs Sartaz Aziz came up with the proposal when he met Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid last week on the sidelines of a conference in Brunei.

When Mr Aziz proposed the meeting, Mr Singh’s participation in the UNGA was not certain as the Indian side was still awaiting confirmation of the dates for his bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama.

Mr Sharif’s special envoy Shaharyar Khan also met Mr Singh on Friday and reiterated Mr Sharif’s desire for a meeting with him.

By arrangement with Times of India