New Delhi, July 21: Taking strong exception to Pakistan's comments on the arrest of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, India today said it was an interference in its internal affairs and asked Islamabad to instead create a conducive atmosphere for normalising ties by abjuring "gratuitous" comments and disengaging itself from terrorism. "We express our disappointment with continued manifestation of negative attitude by Pakistan," external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters when asked about comments by his Pakistani counterpart condemning the arrest of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik.

The Pakistani spokesperson had termed the arrest as yet "another manifestation of India's policy to brutally suppress the freedom movement" in Kashmir. In a sharp rebuff, the mea spokesman said "in the instant case of interfering in our internal affairs, Pakistan should concentrate on the grievous political and sectarian ills of its own society. It has enough problems of its own to worry about India".

He said Pakistan should be exhorted to contribute to "creating a proper atmosphere for progressively normalising relations by abjuring gratuitous comments on developments in India which are of no concern to Pakistan. For engaging with India, Pakistan should disengage itself from terrorism," he stressed. Bureau Report