Foreign ministry slams meddling in 'internal affairs'

New Delhi: Taking exception to Pakistan's allegations about "excessive use of force" in Kashmir, the government said such remarks constituted a "clear interference in internal affairs" of the country and cast a shadow over the peace process between the two countries.

"These statements constitute clear interference in the internal affairs of an integral part of India," external affairs ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi. "Such statements by leaders of a foreign country do not help the situation," he said.

"Nor do they contribute to creating the atmosphere necessary for the dialogue process between India and Pakistan to move forward.

"Government of India and the state government are taking all steps necessary to restore law and order in this part of the country," Sarna said.

He was alluding to two separate statements by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the spokesperson of the foreign office in Islamabad expressing "concerns" over the situation in Kashmir.

Official sources, speaking on conditional of anonymity, pointed out that Pakistan was trying to distract attention from its alleged complicity in the bombings on the Indian mission in Kabul and its alleged continued patronage of terror activities in India.

Gross interference

Last week, India had strongly objected to a resolution passed by Pakistan Senate on the situation in Kashmir, saying this amounted to "gross interference in its internal affairs".

"The government of Pakistan condemns the excessive and unwarranted use of force against the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir," Qureshi said in a statement in Islamabad late on Monday night.

"We are deeply concerned over the deteriorating situation... which is resulting in loss of life and property of the Kashmiri people. We call for immediate steps to end violence against innocent Kashmiris," he said.