Tuesday, February 15 2005 10:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh's day-long visit to Afghanistan was today (Feb 15, 2005) called off due to heavy snowfall and inclement weather in Kabul.

The Minister, who arrived at the Delhi Airport to board the special Indian Air Force aircraft was, informed that due to inclement weather and heavy snowfall, the Kabul airport has been closed.

The Minister will now directly fly to Islamabad on the first bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister in 16 years to hold talks with Pakistani leadership on the composite dialogue process and confidence building measures, including starting the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service as also trans-national gas pipelines.

The differences over Ahmedabad as venue for the forthcoming Pakistan cricket tour is also expected to come up in his discussions with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri and other Pakistani leaders.