India on Friday called off the second round of talks on the Kartarpur corridor scheduled in Pakistan next week, seeking clarifications from Pakistan on certain aspects of the corridor, including travel documents to be carried during the visit by Indian pilgrims.
New Delhi has told Islamabad that the next round of talks on the matter should be scheduled after the matters were cleared.
Moreover, India has raised apprehensions over the inclusion of certain ‘controversial’ people in the 10 member committee set up by the Pakistan cabinet, reported the ANI.
Government Sources: There can’t be any let up in security. India hopes Pakistan will address security concerns.Once security aspect is cleared and we get a satisfactory response we are open and keen to take discussion forward and conclude in a meaningful way #KartarpurCorridor https://t.co/HY8fi3VL4e
— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2019
New Delhi has said that the corridor cannot be used for ‘anti-India’ activities.
Government Sources: India made it amply clear the #KartarpurCorridor should not be used for anti India activities including secessionist activities or propaganda. India wants pilgrims to travel safe and in a secure manner
— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2019
Meanwhile, Pakistan has regretted India’s decision to postpone the upcoming Kartarpur meeting [on April 2] “jointly agreed by both sides” on March 14, reported the Dawn.
Dr Mohammad Faisal, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.
In a tweet, he said:
Last minute Postponement without seeking views from #Pakistan and especially after the productive technical meeting on 19 March is incomprehensible.
(2/2)
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) March 29, 2019
Faisal’s response comes shortly after New Delhi said it had “sought clarifications from Pakistan on key proposals put forward by India at the last meeting held in Attari to discuss the modalities of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor”.
Meanwhile, India has also proposed in its statement that the infrastructure development for the corridor should go forward and “in an expeditious manner.”
“India has proposed to hold another meeting of technical experts in mid-April to resolve outstanding issues at the zero point agreed to at the last meeting,” the statement further clarified.
