India Thursday strongly objected to remarks by US envoy to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker that New Delhi should not make public allegations about Islamabad's involvement in the Mumbai blasts, saying such comments were not expected from a diplomat of a democratic country.
"We have seen the remarks... One would have expected that coming from a democracy like the US, Crocker would have understood that democratic governments have the primary responsibility to keep their own people fully informed," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said when asked to comment on the statement.
Crocker had suggested that India discuss issues relating to Islamabad's involvement in the Mumbai train blasts directly with Pakistan instead of making allegations in public.
The envoy was apparently referring to Mumbai Police's assertion at a press conference that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence was involved in the serial train blasts of July 11 which killed nearly 200 people.
"India should communicate with Pakistan by having direct contact instead of talking about the Mumbai train blasts in the public," the Ambassador was quoted by Pakistani media. Statements making accusations would serve no purpose, Crocker reportedly said. Significantly, Crocker's comments came as New Delhi prepared to give evidence to Islamabad regarding involvement of ISI and Pakistan-based groups in the blasts.
Coverage: The Mumbai train blasts
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