India not to tolerate interference in internal affairs: BJP

New Delhi, Aug 18: BJP 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.

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.

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".

PTI