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New Delhi wants 2nd Kartarpur meet rescheduled after increased Khalistani role 

WION
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaWritten By: Sidhant SibalUpdated: Mar 29, 2019, 01:29 PM IST
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Kartarpur gurudwara. (Picture courtesy: Pakistan Foreign Ministry) Photograph:(WION)

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India's move comes against the backdrop of New Delhi asking Pakistan to clarify its stand on the proposal it had put forward in the last meet on March 14 in Attari, India.

India wants April 2 Kartarpur talks in Wagah, Pakistan rescheduled after Islamabad appointed Khalistani elements on the committee associated with the Kartarpur corridor.

India's move comes against the backdrop of New Delhi asking Pakistan to clarify its stand on the proposal it had put forward in the last meet on March 14 in Attari, India.

India has already expressed its concern on security front to Pakistan deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shah. 

A release from the Ministry of External Affairs said India has "shared concerns and sought clarifications on reports that controversial elements have been appointed by Pakistan to a committee to be associated with the Kartarpur Corridor."

Adding, "It has been conveyed that the next meeting on the modalities can be scheduled at an appropriate time after receiving Pakistan’s response." 

A well known Khalistani and close aide of Gopal Singh Chawla has been recently appointed to Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.

Sources told WION, "It is already been conveyed to Pakistan that Kartarpur facility should not be misused for anti-India activities and we want substantive outcomes from the meet and not just for the sake of optics."

India has also stated that it remains committed to "realise the long-pending demand of the Indian pilgrims to visit the Holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Corridor in a safe, secure, smooth and easy manner."

The project is being monitored at the secretary-level with 14 crores being transferred to land acquisition authorities and India is hopeful that the September 2019 deadline will be met.