Manmohan Singh has, however, defended the move saying the joint statement was merely taking cognizance of what Pakistan said at the Egypt talks and stressed that India was ready to discuss the issue as it has nothing to hide.

At a meeting with senior party leaders here Friday evening, Congress president Sonia Gandhi backed the prime minister on the issue.

A recent Pakistani media report claimed that Islamabad had given to New Delhi a 'dossier' about India's involvement in Balochistan during talks at Sharm-el-Sheikh. Official sources here have vehemently denied the sharing of any such dossier.

'Our hands are clean. We have nothing to hide,' the sources said.

If Pakistan wants to bring up its 'internal issue' in bilateral talks and internationalise Balochistan, India does not have any issue with it, the sources added.