Amid heightened tensions, India and Pakistan held a second round of meeting at the proposed ‘zero point’ to discuss the technical aspects of the proposed Kartarpur corridor on Tuesday, according to sources.
The talks were reportedly held between foreign officials and technical experts from both the sides to discuss modalities around the installation of a border fence and road design at the site.
In addition, various outstanding issues were also discussed to ensure the speedy completion of the project, sources added.
The latest development comes after India postponed a meeting which was scheduled to be held on April 2, on the Pakistani side of the Wagah Border.
While announcing its decision, New Delhi had voiced strong concerns over the presence of some members in the committee on the Kartarpur project who India deems as 'separatists'.
India said it will wait for clarification from Islamabad on the issue.
Reacting to the cancellation, Pakistan Foreign office in a statement had regretted India’s decision.
The first round of talks between the two sides was held on March 14 where issues like finalisation of the draft agreement between the countries were discussed.
Following which, technical experts from both sides met for the first time on March 19 during which the participants deliberated upon the engineering aspects of the construction of the corridor.
India Pakistan talks on the Kartarpur Corridor, 14 March 2019. EPA/PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU HANDOUT Source: PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
Located in Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is nearly 4 km from the border near the town of Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of Indian Punjab.
The gurdwara holds a particular significance for Sikhs as it was the final resting place for the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak.
In November 2018, the governments of both the countries had agreed to build a corridor linking the Kartarpur gurdwara in Pakistan’s Narowal to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur district.
The project which is expected to be operationalised before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in November will allow Sikh pilgrims from India visa-free access to the historic shrine.
