Indian External Affairs Ministry has told media that it has appropriate channels available to deal with reported cases of spying by Sri Lankan Muslims on behalf of Pakistan.

A ministry official has told local media in New Delhi that India will take up the issue with Sri Lanka through non-diplomatic channels, when asked what would be India's response to Pakistan hiring Sri Lankan Muslims for espionage against India.

However, the ministry did not confirm these reports.

"If true, it is for the channels between India and Sri Lanka to discuss this. These need not be diplomatic channels. We have other channels available to tackle those who are putting our security to jeopardy," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin has told the Indian media.

Reports of Pakistan hiring Sri Lankans to spy on India came after the alleged involvement of a Pakistan High Commission official in espionage activities and later when a Sri Lankan was arrested on espionage charges by Indian officials in Chennai.