Hours before the formal inauguration of the event in Chennai on Thursday evening, Pakistan announced that it was withdrawing its team from the 44th International ChessOlympiad to register its protest over the torch relay of the event passing through Jammu & Kashmir, which, according to Islamabad, is“an internationally recognized disputed territory”.

Pakistan’s decision is clearly last-minute as the torch relay passed through Srinagar over a month ago, on June 21. Also, the Pakistani contingent has been practicing for the event. And, according to external affairs ministry spokesman ArindamBagchi, the team was already in India and could now be returning in view of Islamabad’s decision announced less than 12 hours before the inaugural session of the Olympiad.

Reacting to Pakistan’sdecision when asked for a response at the weekly briefing, Bagchi said: “It is surprising that Pakistan has suddenly taken the decision not to participate in the FIDE ChessOlympiad, particularly after the team has already reached India.

“As far as their argument is concerned, the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been and are an integral part of India. It is highly unfortunate that Pakistan has politicised a prestigious international event by making such statements and withdrawing its participation after its team has already reached India.”

Earlier in the day, announcing its decision to withdraw from the Olympiad, the Pakistan Foreign Office had said: “Regrettably, India has chosen to politicise this prestigious international sporting event by passing the torch relay of this event through the Indian Illegally OccupiedJammu and Kashmir.”

Further, Islamabad said, it would raise the matter with the International Chess Federation at the highest level.