Pakistan interfering in India's internal affairs unacceptable: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that Pakistan's interfering in India's internal affairs was "unacceptable", even as the Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan were called off by India. "Attempts to interfere in India's internal affairs continue unabated. The Indian Foreign Secretary therefore told the Pakistan High Comissioner in clear and unambiguous terms that pakistan's continued efforts to interfere in India's internal affairs were unacceptable," Akbaruddin told ANI.

He further stated that the meeting between the Pakistani's High Commissioner and the separatist leaders had damaged talks. Akbaruddin said, "Meeting with the so-called leaders of the Hurriyat undermines the constructive diplomatic engagement initiated by Prime Minister Modi in May on his very first day in office," said Akbaruddin to ANI, adding, "The only part available to Pakistan is to resolve the outstanding issues through a peaceful bilateral dialogue within the framework and principles of the Simla Agreement (1972) and the Lahore Declaration (1999)."

"It is felt that no useful purpose will be served by the Foreign Secretary of India Sujatha Singh going to Islamabad next week," he added. India cancelled the upcoming bilateral talks between the two countries after the Pakistani High Commissioner invited separatist leaders for talks earlier today.