Talks with Pak can't be based on 'political opportunism': Anand Sharma

Congress leader Anand Sharma on Tuesday said talks with Pakistan cannot be determined by political opportunism, adding that India's engagement with its neighbours cannot be decided on the basis of government formation issues of any province.

"We have to talk Pakistan, we don't object at that, but at the same time, it cannot be determined by political opportunisms. India's foreign policy and India's engagement with its neighbours cannot be decided in Government formation issues of any province, particularly Jammu and Kashmir given the sensitivity," said Sharma.

He asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share details about how things have changed regarding the foreign secretary-level talks between Pakistan and India now.

"It was the Prime Minister who had called off the foreign secretary talks, saying that Pakistan high commissioner had invited the Hurriyat leaders. Now, the Prime Minister should inform the Parliament and the country, he must share the details about what has changed," said Sharma.

Sharma, however, called for meaningful and constructive engagement between these two countries and talks to end terrorisms.

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar today met his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in Islamabad, as part of his SAARC Yatra.

Jaishankar is also expected to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.