New Delhi, April 4: On the cancellation of second round of Kartarpur talks with Pakistan, India on Thursday expressed its disappointment, charging the neighbouring nation of not addressing its concerns over the presence of a prominent pro-Khalistan leader on their panel. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday issued a statement putting the onus on Islamabad for the delay in dialogue.

During the weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated that India remains committed to realising the wishes and aspirations of people to visit the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Imran Khan Meets Pro-Khalistan Leader Gopal Singh Chawla Ahead of Kartarpur Corridor Talks With India.

"It is important to remember we remain committed to realise aspirations of people. Aspirations which flow out of pending demand of Indian pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib using the corridor," he said.

"At the same time, there are certain things which came to our notice, we had sought clarifications from Pakistan on a number of issues. They remain unaddressed by Pakistan," Raveesh Kumar added, referring to the non-exclusion of Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla from their panel.

"We also shared our concerns about controversial elements being appointed by Pakistan to a committee which was to be associated with Kartarpur corridor. The response is awaited and so meeting is postponed," he said.

The ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor, demanded by the Sikh community in India, was held last year. The foundation stone was laid by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh on the Indian side, and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on the other side of the border.

The corridor will connect Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara, located 4-km away. The latter is the final resting place of Guru Nanak Ji, the founder of Sikhism.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2019 07:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).