New Delhi, August 12
For the second time within a week, India today objected to the statements of the Pakistani establishment on situation in Jammu and Kashmir saying they constituted clear interference in the internal affairs of an integral part of this country.

“We have seen the statement by the foreign minister of Pakistan on the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and remarks attributed to the spokesperson for the Pakistan foreign office yesterday. These statements constitute a clear interference in the internal affairs of an integral part of India,’’ external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in response to questions.

The spokesman said the Indian government and the state government were taking all steps necessary to restore law and order in Jammu and Kashmir. “Such statements by leaders of a foreign country do not help the situation. Nor do they contribute in creating atmosphere necessary for the dialogue process between India and Pakistan to move forward.”

In separate statements, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the spokesperson for the foreign office in Islamabad expressed “concerns” over the situation in Kashmir and attacks on life and property on Muslims in the state.

Official sources said Pakistan was only further vitiating the atmosphere by commenting on the situation in Kashmir. They noted that such statements could seriously affect the India-Pakistan composite dialogue process, which had already come under stress due to the July 7 suicide car bomb attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul, recent infiltration attempts from across the border and the ceasefire violations by Pakistan troops.

The sources said Pakistan was trying to divert attention from the involvement of ISI in the bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul and its continued encouragement to terrorist activities in India.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had made it unambiguously clear to his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani during their bilateral meeting in Colombo on August 2 that the dialogue process could be put back on the track only if Islamabad acted on its commitment that it would not allow territory under its control to be used for subversive activities against India.

Last Thursday, India had vehemently objected to a resolution passed by the Pakistan Senate on the situation in Kashmir, saying it amounted to “gross interference in our internal affairs”.