New Delhi - India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit to lodge a strong protest over the “discourtesy” shown to India’s envoy to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale.

“Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned today to the Ministry of External Affairs and conveyed the concern of Government of India by Secretary (West) (Sujata Mehta) on discourtesy to Indian high commissioner,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Basit was conveyed India’s view on the discourtesy towards Bambawale by Karachi Chamber of Commerce that cancelled an event at the last minute. Bambawale was scheduled to speak at the event, invite for which was received and accepted by him a couple of weeks ago.

“He (Basit) was also conveyed our hope that our accredited diplomats in Pakistan will be allowed to discharge their normal functions without hindrance,” Swarup said.

Bambawale, who was on his first visit to Karachi after assuming charge in January this year, was told about the cancellation just half an hour before the event.

The organisers did not give a reason immediately for the cancellation. However, the Indian officials felt that Bambawale’s comments on Monday on Pakistan’s interference in Kashmir which was India’s internal matter had “rattled the Pakistani authorities, prompting a cancellation”.

According to a spokesman of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Pakistan has rejected the Indian complaint, saying that cancellation of Pakistan High Commission events in India were becoming a routine.

He said that the events were being cancelled under the pressure of Indian government. The spokesman said that Indian government had cancelled many events that were supposed to project Pakistan’s soft image in India.

He further said that organisers of many events cancelled their invitation, succumbing to Indian government’s pressure.