Iran fumes at Pak media allegation of complicity over spy

Islamabad, Mar 31: Iran today warned Pakistan that some reports in Pakistani media linking the arrest of an alleged Indian 'spy' with Tehran could have "negative implications" on its bilateral ties.

The Iranian embassy here issued a terse statement after several media outlets hinted that Tehran might have knowledge about Kulbhushan Yadhav, who was reportedly arrested by Pakistani authorities in Balochistan after he entered from Iran.

"During past days some section of Pakistani media has spread contents regarding detention of an Indian agent and the matter related to it, which could have negatives implications on the fraternal and friendly atmosphere of Iran and Pakistan," the embassy warned.

It said that those elements who are not happy over the promotion of ties between Iran and Pakistan would try in various ways "including by spreading undignified contents and sometimes offensive to fade out the significant achievements during the visit of President Hasan Rouhani."

Iran in seven decades of ties with Pakistan since its independence has always proved itself as a confident partner and neighbour and the western borders of Pakistan have never been threatened.

Iran considers its borders with Pakistan as borders of peace and friendship and President Rouhani recently said that "Security of Iran is security of Pakistan and security of Pakistan is security of Iran", the statement added.

It said spreading of such news items is the product of thinking which does not like further expansion of ties between the two countries and against fruitful materialisation of the agreements made during the visit of the President of Iran.

Meanwhile, Pakistan today said it has asked Iran to provide details about the spying network of Yadav. Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said Iran has assured Pakistan that it would never allow anyone to use its soil against the country.

Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Yadav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. In the video, Yadav said that he arrived in Iran in 2003 and started a small business in Chahbahar.

PTI