Public radio broadcaster All India Radio will soon begin “enhanced” news broadcasts in the Balochi language, PTI reported on Wednesday. A senior official said that while the AIR “already” broadcasts programmes and news in Balochi, it is looking to augment its news section with reports longer than the current ten minutes. AIR's External Services Division broadcasts in over 108 countries and 27 languages, including Balochi.

The move assumes significance as it comes two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought up alleged human rights violations in Pakistan’s Balochistan region during his Independence Day remarks. The reference led to a diplomatic row between the two countries, as Pakistan accused Modi of “crossing a red line” with his speech. Cases were also registered against three Baloch leaders by Pakistani authorities for allegedly “supporting” the Indian Prime Minister’s speech. Modi’s reference to Balochistan came a day after Pakistan dedicated its Independence Day to the “freedom of Kashmir”.