New Delhi, Following the ratcheting up tension between India and Pakistan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is unlikely to attend the SAARC Finance Ministers’ meeting to be held in Islamabad on August 25-26.
According to officials, “the environment was not conducive for the Finance Minister’s visit to Pakistan, given the recent tension between the two countries and the Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s unpleasant experience during his recent visit to Pakistan.”
Pakistan authorities gave a cold shoulder to Rajnath when he visited Pakistan this month to attend the SAARC Home/Interior Ministers’ conference.
Sources said Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das might represent India, if Jaitley (government) decides not to go, at the FMs’ meet.