India summons Iranian envoy over Kashmir remarks
By IANSFriday, November 19, 2010
NEW DELHI - India Friday summoned the Iranian charge d’ affaires and conveyed its “deep disappointment” over comments on Kashmir emanating from Tehran.
We have conveyed to the Iranian authorities our deep disappointment and regret that they have chosen to disregard our sensitivities and chosen to question our territorial sovereignty, a government source said.
The government reaction came to the message of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Haj pilgrims in which he has appealed to the Muslim elite worldwide to back the “struggle” in Jammu and Kashmir, equating the northern Indian state with the “nations” of Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.
External affairs ministry’s Joint Secretary Y.K. Sinha summoned the Iranian charge d’ affaires to his office Friday and conveyed the Indian government’s sentiments, said sources.
It was pointed out this was not the first time. Khamenei had made a similar statement in July this year.
