India slams Pakistan for ‘politicising’ Chess Olympiad

India on Thursday criticized Pakistan for pulling out of the 44th Chess Olympiad in Tamil Nadu and said it was “extremely unfortunate” that Islamabad has “politicized” the prestigious international event.
Reacting to Pakistan’s decision, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that it is surprising that Pakistan has suddenly decided not to participate in the event.
He said it is extremely unfortunate that Pakistan has politicized the prestigious international event by making such statements and withdrawing its participation after its team reached India.
Bagchi was responding to questions on Pakistan’s decision to withdraw from the Olympiad, citing the torch relay of the event passing through Jammu and Kashmir.
To this, Bagchi asserted that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh “have been, are and will be an integral part of India.”