MEA protest over Pak's spy allegation against diplomats; calls it 'baseless'

The MEA said Pakistan's false allegations against the diplomats have the potential to adversely affect the corresponding activities of the high commission.

New Delhi: India on Thursday raised strong objections to the printing of the names and photos of eight Indian diplomats in the Pakistani media after accusing them of spying.

“Government strongly protests the manner in which the names and photos of eight Indian officials, four of them holders of diplomatic passports, have been published,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media.

He said Pakistan's false allegations against the diplomats have the potential to adversely affect the corresponding activities of the high commission.

Swarup said the officials were falsely implicated. In fact, they were working in the fields of promoting people to people, trade and economic contacts.

It is important for Pakistan to desist its failed policies that has led to its diplomatic isolation, he said.

Swarup said Pakistan must create a conducive atmosphere in which discussions on regional prosperity could take place within the SAARC framework.

“The root cause of problems between the two sides is Pakistan's support to cross-border terrorism and its promotion as element of state policy,” he said.

The MEA had earlier said that Mehmood Akhtar, the Pakistani high commission staffer who was arrested by Delhi police on charges of spying, revealed information about anti-India activities going inside Pakistani High Commission.

Responding to a question on cross-border fire, Swarup said, “Our forces don't initiate nor violate ceasefire, they only retaliate”.

“2/3rds of ceasefire violations by Pakistan have taken place in the last five weeks, he said, adding “India rejects Pakistan's claim of ceasefire violations by Army”.

“We completely reject baseless and unsubstantiated allegations made by Pakistan against certain Indian High Commission officials in Islamabad.”