Ministry of External Affairs hit out at Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit for his remarks on Jammu and Kashmir, saying he should not interfere in the country's internal affairs.
Basit had said that the Jammu and Kashmir issue must be resolved as per the "aspirations of Kashmiris", and that it can be suppressed but not quelled.
Basit, in his Pakistan Day speech at the high commission, said that Islamabad wants to have a good and peaceful relationship with New Delhi and resolve all issues.
"Our policy is to promote peace, especially in Asia, where we have tried to have better ties with all our neighbours. These ties must be based on equal footing and loyalty and our efforts have been in that direction," he said.
Basit added, "As far as the Jammu and Kashmir issue is concerned, it should be resolved as per the aspirations of Kashmiris and hopefully it will be.”
However, India reacted sharply to his remarks that the aspirations of people can be suppressed but not quelled.
Reacting to Basit's remark, MEA spokesperson said, “We have seen media reports about Pakistan high commissioner's remarks 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.”
“Pakistan would be well-advised to effectively address the challenge of terrorism emanating from that country, which has adversely affected peace and stability in the entire neighbourhood as well as Pakistan's relations with other countries," he added.
Pakistan celebrated its national day on March 23.
