Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday welcomed the government`s decision to call off Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan and said India will not tolerate any interference in its internal affairs by the neighbouring country.
Also Read: Pak breaches `India or separatists` warning, Foreign Secretary level talks stand cancelled
Though India wants good ties with its neighbours and had also made a new beginning by inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other heads of states of SAARC nations at Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s swearing-in, it will not allow any interference in its internal matters, BJP Secretary Shrikant Sharma said.
"BJP welcomes the decision on cancellation of talks. Though India wants good relations with its neighbours, it will not tolerate any interference in its internal affairs by anyone," he said.
He said Modi had taken the initiative of inviting Sharif at his swearing-in and wanted good ties with them, but Pakistan has not kept its promise of not interfering in India`s internal matters.
Pakistan is not sending good signals by meeting separatist leaders in India, he said, adding the step has led to the government taking the bold step of cancelling the Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two nations.
Others lauded the effort as evident by Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan`s tweet, "I support India’s decision to suspend talks with mischievous Pakistan. Befitting reply to those who do not understand language of peace."
I support India’s decision to suspend talks with mischievous Pakistan. Befitting reply to those who do not understand language of peace.
— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 18, 2014
He was seconded by BJP MP Anurag Thakur. He tweeted, "Welcome decision of GOI to call off Foreign Secy talks w/ Pak. Those attempting to meddle in India`s internal affairs stand cautioned."
Welcome decision of GOI to call off Foreign Secy talks w/ Pak. Those attempting to meddle in India's internal affairs stand cautioned.
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 18, 2014
Taking a strong note of Pakistan High Commissioner`s meeting with Kashmiri separatist leaders, India today called off the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan slated next week and conveyed to the neighbouring country that such things were "not acceptable".
Also Read: J&K leaders, separatists say cancellation of Indo-Pak talks `unfortunate`
Before the official announcement on the talks being called off, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the position of the Pakistani High Commissioner extending invitation to separatist leaders for talks and ceasefire violations by Pakistan were "unacceptable".
"Pakistan should not interfere in the internal affairs of India. Kashmir is an internal and integral part of India... Frequent ceasefire violations are not going to help to improve relation between the two countries," he said.
Noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted good ties with all neighbours, Naidu said Pakistan should ensure that such ceasefire violations are stopped "at once".
With PTI Inputs
