The government of India has 'reprimanded' its ambassador to United Arab Emirates, C M Bhandari, for mixing his family event with the Republic Day celebration.

"The ambassador has unfortunately shown lack of judgement in including a family event in the celebration of a formal national event," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in response to a question.

"The ministry has issued a reprimand to the officer and is taking action to ensure that such lapses do not occur in any of our Missions abroad," he said.

According to sources, Bhandari had issued invitation cards for a deferred celebration of the Republic Day wherein he had said that invitees could attend his family event as well.