NEW DELHI -- The Congress party on Tuesday said that the meeting between Hurriyat Conference leaders with Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit was not in the interest of the nation and added that talks between India and Pakistan should be held for peace and not for encouraging separatism.
"It is because of such incidents that talks were cancelled last time. Pakistan encouraging the separatists is not in the interest of the nation. The talks should be held, it should be held for peace and not to encourage separatism," Congress leader Pramod Tiwari told ANI.
"If the talks were cancelled last time after they met separatists, then the government should clarify why talks should continue after these talks," he added.
On Monday, a delegation of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) met Abdul Basit and discussed External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's recent meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
According to an APHC release, Hurriyat leaders also discussed 'Kashmir policy' with Basit.
Last week, during Swaraj's visit to Pakistan, it was announced that the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet next month to discuss the details of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue.
According to the joint statement released by both nations, the discussions will involve peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Economic and Commercial Cooperation, Counter-Terrorism, Humanitarian Issues, People to People exchanges and religious tourism.
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