By KUNA,
New Delhi : India Tuesday strongly criticised the statement by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir and stated that such remarks could affect the bilateral ties between the two countries. “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 of the Pakistan Foreign Office yesterday,” Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna told reporters here today. “These statements constitute clear interference in the internal affairs of an integral part of India,” Sarna asserted. “Government of India and the State Government are taking all steps necessary to restore law and order in this part of the country. Such statements by leaders of a foreign country do not help the situation. Nor do they contribute to creating the atmosphere necessary for the dialogue process between India and Pakistan to move forward,” he pointed out.
In a statement issued in Islamabad yesterday, Qureshi had said: “The government of Pakistan condemns the excessive and unwarranted use of force against the people in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.” In another statement, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson had yesterday said, “Pakistan calls for immediate steps to address the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.”