Reacting Sharply to Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s remarks on Kashmir, New Delhi on Thursday said that it contravened diplomatic protocol and amounted to interference in India’s internal affairs.
"We have seen media reports about Pakistan High Commissioner's remarks today regarding the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. They are not in keeping with diplomatic niceties and are tantamount to interference in our internal affairs," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.
On Pakistan Day, Abdul Basit stoked fresh controversy by reiterating Islamabad’s support to what he called the ongoing “freedom struggle” in Kashmir.
“Kashmir is the fundamental dispute between India and Pakistan. We’ll solve this issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” Abdul Basit said while addressing a gathering inside Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.
“History is witness to the fact that ‘freedom struggles’ can be suppressed only for the time being but they can’t be eliminated forever. We believe that the people of Kashmir will succeed in their struggle,” he added.
India has always denounced Pakistan for aiding and abetting Kashmiri militants and separatists by exploiting their religious sentiments.
