The Indian government has called off talks with Pakistan, after its High Commissioner in Delhi consulted Kashmiri separatist leaders.
Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh was due to meet her Pakistani counterpart in Islamabad, when High Commissioner Abdul Basit announced his plan to meet the Kashmiris last week.
India's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Delhi told the High Commissioner "that Pakistan's continued efforts to interfere in India's internal affairs were unacceptable".
He said the action "raises questions about Pakistan's sincerity and undermines the constructive diplomatic efforts" initiated by India.
The spokesperson added that "no useful purpose" would be served by the foreign secretary's visit to Pakistan.
Pakistan described the cancellation as a “setback”.
"It is a longstanding practice that, prior to Pakistan-India talks, meetings with Kashmiri leaders are held to facilitate meaningful discussions on the issue of Kashmir," a statement from the Pakistani foreign ministry said, according to the BBC.