India regrets Pakistan's expulsion of two Indian journalists

India on Wednesday called the expulsion of the two Indian correspondents in Pakistan " regrettable and unfortunate".

An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said free practice of journalists of the two countries in each other's capitals is part of the confidence building measure (CBM) between India and Pakistan, calling the expulsion a step backward.

Pakistan has expelled the two Indian journalists, Press Trust of India's Snehesh Alex Philip and The Hindu newspaper's Meena Menon, posted in Islamabad, asking them late on Tuesday night to leave within seven days without assigning any reason, according to local media reports.

"It is regrettable and unfortunate that the two Indian correspondents in Pakistan have been asked to leave prematurely and suddenly only a few months after their arrival there," said the spokesperson.

"Not allowing independent journalists to function is a retrograde step especially as free flow of information between India and Pakistan has long been recognized as an important confidence building measure," the spokesperson said.

"The stationing of journalists and free flow of information is an important CBM and should be safeguarded by all concerned."