Islamabad, July 27 (IANS): Pakistan said on Thursday that India's stipulation for grating visa to Pakistani nationals were "highly regrettable" and was against diplomatic norms.

"It is highly regrettable that India has placed such restrictions on visas for patients who are suffering from serious and terminal illnesses," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. 

Only a letter of recommendation by Pakistan Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz will enable a Pakistani national to get a medical visa for India, the External Affairs Ministry announced in May.

The Pakistani spokesperson said asking for a letter from the Foreign Affairs Adviser was "against diplomatic norms". 

"Such a requirement has not been prescribed for any other country. We are making suitable alternative arrangements, both within Pakistan as well as in friendly countries," Zakaria added.

India's decision to impose the condition on medical visas for Pakistani nationals came in the backdrop of growing tensions between the two countries.